Many of these common rights survive today in the New Forest and are still protected by law. They are attached to land or property (rather than an individual) and people who are entitled to them are called ‘commoners’.
Protecting the commoners livelihoods, common rights and the forest landscape are the 'verderers', who have a hugely important role in the life of the New Forest to this day. They employ a team of ‘agisters’ who assist with the management of commoners’ animals.
To learn more, visit the Commoners Shared Forest website.