Verderers oversee Commoning…
Our primary objective is to regulate and protect the commoners interests and preserve the natural beauty and character of the Forest…
Report an Incident
Report Road Traffic incident involving Forest stock call 999. For sick, injured or dead Forest stock call 02380 282052 (normal office hours) or 0300 067 4600 (outside office hrs).
Report an IncidentWho are the Verderers
The Court of Verderers is a corporate body set up under the New Forest Act of 1877. It is the last remnant of the old form of Forest government which was at one time found in many parts of the country.
The Verderers are charged with regulating commoning on the Forest and inquiring into unlawful inclosures. Subsequent Acts have added to the Verderers’ powers and they now have wide responsibilities in respect of development control and conservation.
Please refer to our leaflets for further info:
The VerderersCommoning
Commoning in the New Forest refers to the traditional practice where local people, known as “commoners,” have the legal right to use the land for specific purposes, such as grazing their livestock or collecting resources. This centuries-old system is central to the cultural and ecological fabric of the New Forest.
The Verderers
The Verderers of the New Forest are an ancient and unique governing body responsible for protecting and managing the traditional rights, landscape, and ecology of the New Forest in southern England. They play a central role in overseeing commoning practices
Agisters
An Agister in the New Forest is an official responsible for managing the welfare of livestock grazing on the open forest. They play a key role in supporting the traditional practice of commoning and ensuring the well-being of the animals that roam freely within the forest boundaries.
Latest News
The Verderers publish regular announcements that include, protecting communing rights, managing livestock, conservation and environmental issues, resolving disputes, education and monitoring developments with the New Forest.
The Role of the Verderers
Protect and regulate the New Forest’s unique agricultural commoning practices;
- Conserve it’s traditional landscape, wildlife and aesthetic character, including it’s flora and fauna
- Peacefulness, natural beauty and cultural heritage
- Safeguard a viable future for commoning upon which the foregoing depends
New Forest Pannage Season Extension 2025
A case of strangles has been confirmed in a pony from the Bartley area. …
New Forest Pony Drifts – October 2025
New Forest Pony Drifys info for September… …
New Forest Pony Drifts – September 2025
New Forest Pony Drifys info for September… …
Animal Found – Notice 21-8-25
FOUND in the north of the Forest – a white horned ram. …
New Forest Pony Drifts – August 2025
New Forest Pony Drifts, information for August…
Verderers Hall Open Days
The Verderers Hall will be open to the public between 11am and 3pm on……