Forest Heritage & Culture

The character of the New Forest has been formed over generations by the relationship between people, animals and place. Its open Forest, commons, woods, lawns, mires, lanes, cottages, small settlements and historic boundaries all tell part of that story.

This heritage is not confined to museums or old documents. It is visible in the landscape itself. It can be seen in Bronze Age barrows, medieval Forest law, the Verderers’ Court, ancient trackways, traditional buildings, commoners’ holdings, old enclosures, maritime links, wartime remains and the continuing practice of commoning.

Commoning is one of the clearest examples of living heritage in the Forest. The rights of pasture and pannage, the movement of stock across the open Forest, the work of the Verderers and Agisters, and the knowledge passed through commoning families all help give the New Forest its distinctive identity.

The Forest’s cultural heritage also reaches beyond commoning. Its timber supported shipbuilding and maritime history, particularly at places such as Buckler’s Hard. Its coast, airfields and open spaces played a role during the Second World War. Its villages, churches, farms, cottages, hedgerows and lanes all contribute to a sense of place that is easily damaged by insensitive change.

The New Forest Association believes this heritage must be protected as part of the Forest’s future, not treated as a separate concern from nature conservation. Habitat, landscape, commoning and culture are closely connected. Damage to one can weaken the others.

We support the protection of historic buildings, archaeological sites, traditional settlement patterns, commoning infrastructure and the wider cultural landscape. We support better public understanding of the Forest’s history, so that residents and visitors can see why its character matters and why it needs careful stewardship.

We oppose development, infrastructure, signage, lighting, or land-use changes that erode local distinctiveness, damage historic features, or contribute to the gradual suburbanisation of the Forest.

We also support efforts to recognise and celebrate the living traditions that continue to shape the Forest today, including work to secure wider recognition for commoning as part of the New Forest’s cultural heritage.

The Forest cannot speak for itself. By protecting its heritage and culture, we help protect the identity, memory and meaning of the New Forest.

Join us and help protect the heritage and culture that make the New Forest unique.