The right of access to open country or "Right to Roam"
After years of campaigning by the Rambler's Association, we now have a legal right of access on foot to some of the wildest and most dramatic landscapes in England and Wales. This new legal right - or right to roam - was provided by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
But what is this new right?
What it is not is right to walk anywhere you like, the new right of access on foot only applies to mapped areas of "open country" as defined by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000(CRoW). This is currently mountain, moor, heath land, down land and registered common land.
More information on the right of access:
- What is the right to roam?
- Where can I Roam?
- What you can do on access land?
- Frequently asked questions and answers
- A brief guide to restrictions on CRoW access land
- Legal information
More information on the mapping of CroW access land can be found in our:
The full text of The Countryside and Rights of Way 2000 can be found on the web-site of: