Chocolate pigs to celebrate unique New Forest tradition

Chocolate lovers can snuffle the first confectionery pigs and praline acorns which have been made to celebrate a centuries-old New Forest tradition.

In the autumn, as many as 600 Commoners’ pigs are turned out in the New Forest to pannage for acorns which are poisonous to the ponies, cattle and deer which roam free.

Now the Beaulieu Chocolate Studio has hand-crafted pigs and life-sized acorns from fresh, locally-sourced New Forest ingredients as a novelty gift to mark the unique event.

The confectionery pigs have already caught the attention of chocolate fans and attracted their own facebook following from as far away at Colorado.

The Beaulieu studio, which was launched with the help of the Beaulieu Estate, is continuing a tradition of chocolate making in the popular village and has the New Forest Marque stamp of quality for producing the finest local food.

The chocolate pigs will be on sale for as long as the real pigs are out to pannage. The pigs – some of which are breeding or ‘privileged’ sows only turned out providing they return to the owner’s holding at night and are not a nuisance – have just been released and are allowed to roam for 60 days.

The picturesque New Forest, which comes alive with the rich reds and golden hues of autumn and is expecting an impressive display of colour this season, has preserved all the character and tradition of its past.

Its rare qualities were first recognised by William the Conqueror when he named it as his ‘new hunting forest’ nearly 1,000 years ago. The ancient management system he established there to protect and preserve the special woodlands and wilderness heath is still in place today, enacted by Verderers, Agisters and Commoners (literally the judges, Police and land users of this historic landscape).

Commoners pay a fee for each pony, cow and pig they turn out. Pannage plays an important part in the New Forest’s ecology and the husbandry of other livestock in an area which has kept its rich heritage to make it an enchanting place to visit today.

For Visitor Information and accommodation visit www.thenewforest.co.uk