Pigs (Illustration by Will Drew)

Pannage is the practice of releasing domestic pigs onto the Forest and goes back to the time of William the Conqueror, who established the New Forest circa 1079. The pigs are released onto the Forest in September for 60 days to eat fallen acorns which are poisonous to the commoners’ ponies and cattle but in times of extreme acorn crops this will be extended. The pork from pigs that have been released during pannage is truly delicious.