Out in the country Final version: 29 November 2007 Contents 1 Introduction....................................................................................................................4 About this booklet...................................................................................................... 4 2 Where you can walk ...................................................................................................... 6 On public rights of way .............................................................................................. 6 Over open access areas............................................................................................ 7 On permissive paths.................................................................................................. 7 Over permissive access areas................................................................................... 7 3 Where you can ride a horse or a bike ............................................................................ 8 On public rights of way .............................................................................................. 8 Over open access areas............................................................................................ 8 On permissive paths.................................................................................................. 8 Over permissive access areas................................................................................... 9 4 Where you can go if you are disabled or your mobility is impaired ............................... 10 5 Where you can drive a vehicle ..................................................................................... 11 On public rights of way ............................................................................................ 11 Over open access areas.......................................................................................... 11 On permissive paths................................................................................................ 11 Over permissive access areas................................................................................. 11 6 Finding out about where you can go ............................................................................ 12 Get to know the countryside you want to visit .......................................................... 12 National, regional and local walks and rides ............................................................ 12 Ordnance Survey maps........................................................................................... 14 On the ground: signposts and waymarks................................................................ 15 Where National Parks fit in ...................................................................................... 15 Nature reserves....................................................................................................... 16 7 Taking care of yourself and those with you .................................................................. 17 Basic precautions .................................................................................................... 17 In upland and remote areas..................................................................................... 18 Electric fences......................................................................................................... 18 Crop spraying.......................................................................................................... 19 If something goes wrong ......................................................................................... 19 Liability for injuries in the countryside ...................................................................... 19 Organising walks and riders for others..................................................................... 20 Sponsored walks and campaign events................................................................... 21 8 Caring for the outdoors ................................................................................................ 22 Taking a dog with you.............................................................................................. 22 Farm animals........................................................................................................... 22 Horses..................................................................................................................... 23 Trespass ................................................................................................................. 23 Protecting wildlife in the countryside........................................................................ 24 Protecting rocks and stones .................................................................................... 24 Archaeological sites................................................................................................. 25 Metal detectors........................................................................................................ 25 Picnics and camping................................................................................................ 25 Fires ........................................................................................................................ 26 Parking and driving along rights of way ................................................................... 26 Firearms and other weapons ................................................................................... 26 Bylaws..................................................................................................................... 26 9 More about rights of way.............................................................................................. 28 How rights of way come into existence.................................................................... 28 Responsibilities for rights of way.............................................................................. 28 Rights of way improvement plans............................................................................ 29 Maintenance and improvements.............................................................................. 29 Changes to the path network................................................................................... 30 Keeping rights of way in use.................................................................................... 31 Definitive maps - the legal record ............................................................................ 31 Traffic Regulation Orders......................................................................................... 32 Stiles and gates....................................................................................................... 32 Ploughed paths and growing crops.......................................................................... 33 Widths of rights of way ............................................................................................ 33 Other obstructions ................................................................................................... 34 Misleading signs...................................................................................................... 34 Bulls ........................................................................................................................ 34 Dealing with problems at the time............................................................................ 34 Intimidation and nuisance........................................................................................ 35 Reporting problems to the highway authority........................................................... 35 10 More about open access.............................................................................................. 37 Open access areas - where you can wander by right .............................................. 37 Access to coastal areas........................................................................................... 38 Access to lakes, rivers and canals........................................................................... 38 Access by local permission...................................................................................... 39 Access by custom ................................................................................................... 39 Town and village greens.......................................................................................... 39 Millennium Greens and Doorstep Greens................................................................ 39 Picnic sites and country parks ................................................................................. 40 11 Further information and contacts ................................................................................. 41 12 Glossary of terms......................................................................................................... 44 3 1 Introduction The countryside of England is uniquely popular. It is easy to see why. Its rich tapestry is as fine and varied as any in the world - from historic villages set in gentle, rolling farmland, to open, majestic mountains; from ancient woodlands and sweeping river valleys to the dramatic cliffs and golden sands of the coast. The countryside provides the chance to unwind from the pressures of modern living and quietly take in its beauty and tranquillity. There is much to see,