Discover the Forest of Bere

An ancient landscape shaped by generations

The land that stretches from Winchester to West Sussex and from the downs to the coast was once known as 'Baer'. Originally, it was a Saxon organised landscape, managed to support its communities by sharing what resources there were over a very large area. Pigs, cattle and oxen would have freely roamed around the many commons. The result was an open landscape of trees, heathland, grasslands, woodpasture and coppice, stretching for miles across the South Hampshire landscape.

The word 'Baer' meant Swine Pasture and because of the grazing animals the trees would have grown in an open pasture type landscape. Small Saxon farmsteads would have bordered the edges and the wildlife flourished amongst the heathlands, woodlands and meadows.

When the Normans invaded in the 11th century, the land was designated a Royal Forest as it provided a suitable place for the king and his noblemen to hunt wild beasts. From that point, 'Baer' became the Forest of Bere. Forest was a legal term; it had nothing to do with trees. In fact there are more trees today than there were during its time as a Royal Forest. The Normans allowed the Saxon commoning system to persist and the wealth of habitats that had developed through years of this form of land management continued uninterrupted.

Bere was the last substantial Royal Forest to be broken up in England. It was difficult to manage, as many parts of it were under different laws and crime and poaching were widespread. Because of this, the paperwork would have been considerable which was probably what saved it. However despite this, in 1810 an act was finally passed to enclose the land and the extensive commons and woodpasture were divided up amongst noblemen and those that could afford it.

In spite of recent change, the area we know of today as the Forest of Bere (100 square miles stretching from Eastleigh to Sussex), has a great deal of this history imprinted beneath the surface. Many of the heathlands, ancient meadows, coppice woods and wood pasture habitats still exist; some require remedial management to bring them to their former glory, others just need a little tender loving care.

A partnership consisting of Hampshire County Council, Winchester City Council, Havant Borough Council, Fareham Borough Council, Forestry Commission, East Hampshire District Council and local communities has set up the Forest of Bere Project to advise and assist landowners with conservation projects on their land in order to conserve this ecological heritage. Grants and advice can be provided, including help carrying out any practical work. Markets are currently being explored for the sale of timber, including coppice products, Small-leaved lime, Hazel, Oak and Ash. This will encourage the woodlands to be managed both ecologically and sustainably and ensure their future survival. Support can also be provided for those wishing to set up local conservation groups and volunteer groups. Please telephone the Project Officer on 01489 774409 or visit the website at www.forestofbere.org for further information.

Emily Preston, Forest of Bere Project Officer - Feb 2005