Your rights, your responsibilities, and a few things worth knowing before you head out
The British countryside is one of the great shared pleasures of these islands — but it is also a working landscape, home to farmers, landowners, wildlife, and livestock. Most of what follows isn't a set of rules — it's simply useful knowledge that makes a day in the countryside more enjoyable, safer, and less likely to cause a problem for anyone else. Think of it as the kind of thing an experienced walking friend would tell you over a cup of tea before heading out.
A simple guide to enjoying — and looking after — the countryside
The Countryside Code has been helping walkers and visitors enjoy the outdoors responsibly since 1951. It was updated in 2021 and distilled into three simple principles. None of it is rocket science — it's largely common sense and common courtesy — but it's worth knowing, particularly for anyone who is newer to walking in the countryside.
In Scotland, the equivalent guidance is the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC), which accompanies the considerably more extensive right of access that Scottish law provides. The principles are similar — responsible enjoyment and care for the land — but the legal context is different. See the Right to Roam section below for more detail.
What you can access, where, and what the law actually says
The rules about where you can walk in the British Isles are significantly different depending on which country you're in — and they matter. Scotland is far more generous than England and Wales in the access it extends to walkers. Here's a clear summary:
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives the public a statutory right of responsible non-motorised access to most land and inland water in Scotland. This is one of the most progressive access laws in the world.
The right covers walking, cycling, horse-riding, climbing, canoeing, rowing, sailing, and wild camping — on almost all land including hills, mountains, moorland, forests, and beaches.
Where the right does not apply: land with growing crops (except field margins), private gardens, school grounds, and active construction sites. The right exists only if exercised responsibly, following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 grants a more limited right of access for open-air recreation on foot only, over specifically designated land known as Open Access Land.
Open Access Land includes mountain, moorland, heath, downland, and registered common land. The England Coast Path also provides a right of access to the adjacent coastal margin.
Important limitations: the right is primarily for walking only — cycling, horse-riding, and camping are generally excluded unless on existing rights of way or with the landowner's permission. Open Access Land covers only around 8% of England. Landowners may restrict access for up to 28 days a year.
| Feature | 🏴 Scotland | 🏴 England & Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Legislation | Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 | Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 |
| Scope of Access | Extensive — most land and inland water | Limited — mapped Open Access Land only (~8% of England) |
| Allowed Activities | Walking, cycling, horse-riding, wild camping and more | Primarily walking on foot only |
| Wild Camping | Yes — a legal right if exercised responsibly | Only with landowner's permission (except Dartmoor) |
| Code of Conduct | Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) | The Countryside Code |
You can check whether land is designated Open Access Land using the Magic Map tool on the Natural England website, or the Ordnance Survey Maps app which shows Open Access Land in yellow shading. On OS 1:25,000 Explorer maps, open access land is shown with an orange tint and boundary symbols.
Footpaths, bridleways, byways — and who can use what
Even where you don't have the right to roam freely, a network of public rights of way crosses virtually every corner of England and Wales — thousands of miles of paths, tracks, and lanes that the public has a legal right to use. Understanding the different types helps you know who else might be sharing your path and what you can expect from the surface underfoot.
Open to walkers on foot only. The most common right of way — shown as a dashed yellow line on OS Explorer maps. Cyclists and horse-riders have no right to use a footpath.
Open to walkers, cyclists, and horse-riders. Shown as a dashed green line on OS Explorer maps. Surfaces are often rougher than footpaths. Motorised vehicles have no right of access.
Open to all users including motorised vehicles, though typically used by walkers, cyclists, and horse-riders. Shown as a red dashed line on OS maps. Often unsurfaced lanes or old drove roads.
Open to walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, and non-motorised vehicles — but not cars or motorbikes. Shown as a blue dashed line on OS maps. Introduced under the CRoW Act 2000.
If a public right of way is blocked — by a locked gate, an electric fence, a crop growing across the path, or an aggressive animal — you are legally entitled to be there. Landowners are required by law to keep rights of way open and unobstructed. If you encounter a persistent obstruction, it can be reported to the local highway authority (the county or unitary council) which has a duty to enforce the path.
Understanding animal behaviour and knowing what to do
Walking through fields with livestock is a normal part of countryside walking in Britain, and the vast majority of encounters are entirely uneventful. Cattle and horses are naturally curious animals and will often walk towards you simply to investigate — this is not aggression. That said, it pays to understand the situations that carry a higher risk, and to know how to respond calmly and sensibly.
The law on bulls in fields crossed by public rights of way is specific and worth knowing:
| Animal | Legal Status on Public Paths | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|
| Young bulls (under 10 months) | Permitted | Low to Moderate |
| Dairy bulls (over 10 months) | Banned Illegal | High |
| Beef bulls (over 10 months) | Permitted only if accompanied by cows or heifers | Moderate to High |
| Cows with calves | Permitted | High — protective instinct |
This is the situation that causes the most incidents involving walkers. A cow's protective instinct for her calf is strong and can override her otherwise docile nature. Never position yourself between a cow and her calf, and give the herd as wide a berth as possible. If cattle start moving towards you in a group, move calmly towards the nearest exit — a gate or fence — without running.
If you have a dog on a lead and cattle begin to chase you, release the dog immediately. This sounds counterintuitive but is critical advice — the cattle are interested in the dog, not you. The dog can outrun them; you cannot. The dog will instinctively move away from the herd. You can then exit the field safely and collect the dog on the other side.
Move quietly and predictably around all livestock — avoid sudden movements, loud noises, or running. Before entering a field, identify the quickest exit in case the animals' behaviour changes. Horses are generally curious rather than dangerous but can be startled easily; speak calmly and give them space. Sheep will generally move away from you and are rarely a concern.
If you genuinely feel threatened or are charged by livestock on a public right of way, make yourself as large and loud as possible, maintain eye contact, and move steadily towards the field exit. Do not turn and run — this can trigger a chase response. If you are injured or witness a prohibited bull on a public path, report it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and your local highway authority.
A few important things every dog owner should know
Walking with a dog adds immeasurable pleasure to a day out — but it also comes with responsibilities that dog owners need to take seriously, both for the sake of the dog and out of respect for the countryside and its inhabitants.
Dogs must be kept on a short lead when walking through fields containing livestock, particularly sheep and cattle. A dog that chases livestock is committing a criminal offence under the Animals Act 1971 — farmers are legally entitled to shoot a dog that is worrying livestock. Even a well-trained dog can instinctively give chase if not on a lead; the risk is simply not worth it.
During the lambing season (roughly February to April), keep dogs on leads at all times near sheep, even if you can't see any. The stress caused by a dog — even one that isn't physically chasing — can cause pregnant ewes to abort their lambs.
Between March and July, many ground-nesting birds including curlew, lapwing, skylark, and golden plover are breeding on moorland and grassland. A dog ranging freely can destroy nests, eggs, and chicks — even without intent. Keep dogs close and under control during this period, particularly on open moorland and heath.
On some nature reserves and managed moorland, dogs may be prohibited entirely during the nesting season — look out for signage and respect any restrictions.
Always bag and bin dog mess on any path, trail, or public space. In farmland, dog mess left on the ground can be accidentally consumed by livestock and cause serious illness — toxocariasis from dog faeces has been responsible for livestock deaths and human infections. If no bin is available, bag it and carry it to the next one. The "bag and hang" approach — leaving a bag dangling from a branch — is simply relocating the problem and should never be done.
How the countryside changes through the year — and what walkers should know
The British countryside is different every month of the year — and some seasons bring specific considerations for walkers. Being aware of what's happening in the landscape around you makes you a better, more considerate, and safer visitor.
February – April
May – August
September – November
December – January
The simple principle that keeps the countryside beautiful for everyone
Leave No Trace is a simple principle: when you leave a place, it should look exactly as it did when you arrived. It sounds obvious, but its implications are broad and worth thinking about. The cumulative impact of millions of walkers visiting the same landscapes every year is significant — erosion, litter, fire damage, disturbed wildlife — and every individual choice matters.
Every piece of litter — including banana skins, apple cores, and orange peel — should go back in your bag. Organic food waste is non-native in many upland environments and takes years to decompose. Fruit skins attract rats and disrupt wildlife. If you can carry it in full, you can carry it out empty.
Open fires cause significant damage to moorland, grassland, and peat — the thin top layer of vegetation can take decades to recover, and a peat fire can smoulder underground for weeks. Use a stove for cooking. If you do light a fire where it is genuinely permitted, keep it small, use only fallen wood, ensure it is fully extinguished before you leave, and never light one in dry conditions or on peaty ground.
If nature calls in the wild, move at least 50 metres from any watercourse, path, or campsite. Dig a small hole (6–8 inches deep) in the soil, use it, and bury the waste. Toilet paper breaks down very slowly — either bury it with the waste, burn it carefully where conditions allow, or use a bag and take it home. In high mountain environments above the treeline, pack out all waste.
Paths exist because they concentrate foot traffic and protect the surrounding vegetation. On popular routes — particularly mountain paths — leaving the path to avoid a muddy section simply widens the area of damage. Accept the mud, walk through it (that's what waterproof boots are for), and the path stays defined. In boggy upland areas, spreading erosion is one of the biggest threats to the landscape.
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to uproot any wild plant without the landowner's permission. Many upland plants — including several species of orchid, alpine gentian, and rare ferns — are fully protected and must not be picked. Even unprotected wildflowers should be left in place; they are far more beautiful in situ and their seeds feed insects and birds.
Never use soap, shampoo, or washing-up liquid directly in or near a watercourse, however "natural" the product claims to be. Wash dishes, clothes, and yourself at least 50 metres from any stream, lake, or river, using a bowl of water carried from the source. Even biodegradable products can disrupt aquatic ecosystems at close range.
Reading the forecast and knowing when to turn back
The British weather is famously unpredictable — particularly in the uplands, where conditions can change faster than a weather forecast can track. Learning to read the weather, knowing where to find reliable forecasts, and having the judgment to turn back when conditions deteriorate are skills that every hill walker develops over time.
For mountain days, a standard weather app is not sufficient. The Mountain Weather Information Service (MWIS) and the Met Office Mountain Forecasts provide area-specific forecasts for the main upland regions of Britain, including wind speeds at summit level, cloud base, visibility, and temperature. Check both the day's forecast and the trend over the following 24 hours. The SEPA River Levels app is useful if your route crosses fords or flood-prone valleys in Scotland.
The ability to turn back — even when you're close to the summit, even when the forecast was good — is one of the most important skills in mountaincraft. Most mountain accidents happen to experienced walkers who pressed on in deteriorating conditions. Set a turnaround time before you set out and stick to it. The mountain will be there next time. No summit is worth a life.
The weather on the summit can be dramatically different from the valley — allow for a wind chill factor and reduced visibility even if it looks fine from below.
The small courtesies that keep everyone happy in the countryside
The golden rule: leave every gate exactly as you found it. If it was closed, close it behind you. If it was open (propped or tied back), leave it open. Gates are open for a reason — perhaps to allow livestock to move between fields — and closed for a reason too. Never assume a closed gate should be open or vice versa. If a gate is difficult to operate, persist — don't climb over it, which can damage hinges and posts.
Stiles are designed to allow walkers to cross a boundary while preventing livestock from following. Use them as intended — don't go around them through gaps or damage in the hedge or fence, as this can allow livestock to escape. Help less agile members of your group over stiles and be aware that dogs can find stiles difficult; many stiles now have a dog flap at the base or an adjacent gate for dogs.
On bridleways and byways shared with cyclists and horse-riders, walkers should keep to one side and allow others to pass. When meeting horses, speak calmly to let the horse know you are human, stand still or step to one side, and avoid sudden movements. Cyclists should slow down and announce themselves when approaching walkers from behind — a simple "excuse me" or a bell is all that's needed. Shared paths work best with a little mutual consideration.
Who to contact if something is wrong
If you encounter a problem on a walk — a blocked path, a dangerous animal, a damaged bridge, or an illegal obstruction — it's worth reporting it so that it can be dealt with. Here's who to contact depending on the situation:
If there is an immediate threat to your safety, an aggressive or dangerous animal causing injury, or a criminal matter such as deliberate obstruction of a right of way.
For cattle-related safety issues on farms — particularly if you encounter a prohibited dairy bull over 10 months old on a public right of way. Report online at hse.gov.uk.
Your county or unitary council is responsible for maintaining public rights of way. Report blocked, overgrown, or damaged paths via the council website — most now have online reporting tools.
The Ramblers Association tracks and campaigns against dangerous path conditions and blocked rights of way. Reporting to them helps build the evidence base for improvement. Report at ramblers.org.uk.
For issues relating to Open Access Land, National Nature Reserves, or wildlife crime — such as the disturbance of nesting birds or damage to protected habitats.
If your walk is within a National Park, the Park Authority is often the most responsive body for path maintenance and countryside issues within their area.
If you encounter a problem on a path — a blockage, damaged infrastructure, or an illegal obstruction — take a photograph on your phone with the location tagged. This makes any report far more effective and gives the relevant authority exactly the information they need to act on it quickly.