Forest feast: Pannage pork & New Forest truffles
THE PIG | Wednesday 19 November 2025The season comes but once a year! The window for pannage pork and autumn truffles is short – and they don’t appear on our menus for very long. So, we’re inviting you to join us this November to make the very most of these tasty forest treasures with a one-off, truffle-to-tail feast at THE PIG!
£150 per person
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A centuries-old tradition
There are only two places in the world where you can find authentic pannage pork and one of them is right here, in the heart of the New Forest. Pannage is an ancient communing practice where litters of pigs from Tamworth to Gloucestershire Old Spots and Saddlebacks can be seen under sprawling oak trees, grazing on as many fallen acorns as possible (as well as other tasty forage from the forest floor). The result? Rich, buttery and nutty pannage pork that is utterly moreish and seriously delicious.
The pannage season is set by the Forestry Commission and the Verderers, and it happens just once a year. At the same time, plenty of earthy, fragrant truffles are also waiting to be found in the forest that are at their delicious best – and once this special season is gone, it’s gone. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us this autumn and make the very most of our New Forest pannage pork and truffles with an exclusive feast at THE PIG!
We’ll welcome you into our house with a perfectly chilled glass of English fizz, before tucking into a mouthwatering selection of Piggy Bits, followed by a three-course pannage and truffle feast with perfectly paired wine. Think comforting Pannage Pork and Truffle Risotto matched with crisp Chardonnay from Danbury Ridge Wine Estate, and Roasted Pannage Pork Porchetta served with Truffled Champ & Truffle Red Wine Sauce – all washed down with full-bodied Rioja Crianza from Viña Cubillo.
During this special evening, you'll hear from our pannage pork expert, commonor Wendy Maughan, who has over 12 years’ experience rearing pannage pigs. She releases her pedigree British Lops (one of the rarest of native pig breeds!) during the season at her very own farm in Cadnam.
Joining her will be South Downs-based truffle hunter, Ben Sweet, who is devoted to helping people reconnect with nature through the ancient craft of truffle hunting with their dogs (his own trusty truffle-hunting sidekick is his 4½ year old Vizla x Labrador, Buddy!).
Together, Wendy and Ben will be talking all things pannage pork, the communing practice, truffle folklore and traditional hunting methods, and how it all plays a key role in protecting our patch that we call home.
When?
Wednesday 19th November 2025
What time?
We’ll pop the first bottles of English fizz at 6.30pm to enjoy with the insightful and light-hearted talks from Wendy and Ben. Hearty platters of moreish Piggy Bits will be served to graze on at 6.45pm, and the three-course pannage and truffle feast will follow at 7.30pm.
This evening is a relaxed, sociable supper with sharing tables – if you’ve booked with friends, just give us a shout so we can make sure you’re all sat together.
Where?
THE PIG in the New Forest, Brockenhurst
How much?
£150 per person, which includes your three-course pannage pork and truffle supper, plus Piggy Bits to start, and perfectly paired wines. The wine will be generously poured, so we suggest you order a taxi… or better still, book a room – so you can really make the most of the evening!
Please note this event is for over 18s only.
Book your spot
THE PIG
Make a night of it
November 2025
Meet your hosts
Wendy Maughan
A New Forest commoner and New Forest Marque member Wendy Maughan, has over 12 years of experience rearing pannage pigs. Wendy grew up on the Isle of Wight but has been living in the forest for over 30 years. Each year, she releases her pedigree British Lops, first onto local commons, then into the Forest when the season officially begins. She monitors their health closely, regularly weighing them to ensure they’re thriving.
“The motivation comes from being able to produce quality meat for the community that has come from the forest landscape,” she says. “You can trace the origins from the land, to farm, to butcher, to plate and that’s what matters. It’s local, sustainable and you know the animals have been well cared for.”
Ben Sweet
A South Downs-based truffle hunter, certified dog trainer and the driving force behind Truffle Forager – Ben helps people reconnect with nature through the ancient craft of truffle hunting with their dogs.
Passionate about sharing hard-won knowledge, Ben blends clear, science-backed training with old school truffle hunting secrets for beginners and budding experts. He is the co-founder of the UK Truffle Festival and the UK Truffle Dog Championships, events that have sparked a fast-growing community of truffle enthusiasts across the country.
Ben’s mission is to improve people’s relationships with their dogs, with themselves and with their connection to nature: one truffle at a time.
