With so much new land having been legally opened up for walkers - thanks to the the new right of access granted by the Countryside and Right of Way Act 2000 - it's hard to choose where to go first! To help you, we have made a list of our top sites: so why not pick somewhere near you from the list, and start to explore England and Wales away from the beaten track?
To find Ramblers walks on new access land take a look at our group walks finder pages.
SOUTH WEST
Cornwall
Goonhilly Downs
This large stretch of downland on the Lizard Peninsula makes for a great day’s walking and is linked to the South West Coast Path. (OS Explorer map number 103)
Penwith Moors and Carn Calver
This area of moorland running inland from the coast, with its old-time mines and the granite outcrop of Carn Galver, is one of Cornwall’s best walking areas. And lying as it does between St Ives and St Just, it’s easily accessible, with parking at Old Carn Calver Mine on the B3306 (OS Explorer map number 102).
Marsland Cliff
Forming the border of Devon and Cornwall, the beautiful Marsland Valley has new open access land where it meets the sea at Marsland Mouth and Cliff. Parking is at Welcombe Mouth and Waterfalls just along the coastal path. (OS Explorer map number 126)
Bodmin Moor
Bodmin Moor has large areas of unique and unspoilt moorland, much of which has been opened up for the first time under CRoW. These include areas around The Hurlers Stone Circles, Stowe’s Hill, Twelve Mens Moor, King Arthur’s Downs, Kilmar Tor, and Brown Gelly, which is topped with three cairns and overlooks Colliford Lake reservoir. (OS Explorer map number 109)
Devon
Gittisham Hill
Located near Honiton, Gittisham Hill is an extensive area of rough heathland offering some fantastic views that had no public access before the Countryside and Right of Way Act. It has some fantastic views. (OS Explorer map number 115)
Hatherleigh Moor
An extensive area of common giving views as far as Dartmoor. It already had some public rights of way across it but is now fully open for walkers. (OS Explorer map number 113)
Codden Hill
A lovely little hilltop from which, on a good day, you can see far as the high points on Dartmoor, Exmoor and Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel. (OS Explorer map number 139)
Bursdon Moor
A large area of rough moorland and common land crossed by minor roads but no public footpaths. It has some good views across this part of North Devon. (OS Explorer map number 126)
Little Haldon Heath
A good example of Devon heath land and very convenient for the seaside resorts of Teignmouth and Torbay. (OS Explorer map number 110)
Hound Tor, Houndtor Down, Haytor Down
Reputed to be the inspiration for the Hound of the Baskervilles, this area of rocks and moorland offers much and is less exposed than the main part of Dartmoor. Car park at Hound Tor (OS map number OL28)
Henroost and Saddle Bridge
Ancient settlements, stone crosses and old mine works mark this area on the edge of Dartmoor, owned by the Duchy of Cornwall. The public has had no access here for years. Parking at Combestone Tor and Venford Reservoir. (OS map number OL28)
Dorset
Canford Heath
Typical heathland on the urban fringe of Bournemouth, which has now been designated as open access land in perpetuity. (OS Explorer map number OL 22)
Grange Heath
South of Wareham there are some delightful patches of heath linked by rights of way that form a continuous link from Holme Heath east to Grange Heath, Stoborough Heath, Stoborough Green and Middlebere Heath. (OS Explorer map number OL 15)
Melbury Down
On the Dorset-Wiltshire border is a beautiful stretch of down that also includes some woodland, included for open access because it is a registered common. Going east from Compton Abbas you come to Compton Down, Melbury Down and Melbury Wood, linking to the south with Clubman’s Down. (OS Explorer map number 118)
Somerset
Cheddar Gorge
A large area of new access land stretches east from the town of Cheddar, taking in Cheddar Cliffs, Velvet Bottom and Snake Hole near Charterhouse, as well as south of Cheddar Gorge. (OS Explorer map number 141)
Wiltshire
Cranbourne Chase
These are large areas of new access land around Cranbourne Chase and to the north and north-east of Tollard Royal. Wonderful rolling down land stretches from Tinkley Down, via Malacombe Bottom and Rotherley Bottom to Rotherley Down. Part of this stretch of access land is on the Ashcombe Estate. (OS Explorer map number 118)
Winkelbury Hill
A continuous stretch of classic down stretching south of Berwick St. John from Winkelbury Hill, west to Monks Down and Win Green, then, via a public footpath, to Charlton Down. (OS Explorer map number 118)
Bidcombe Hill
A chain of down linked in part by rights of way from Brimsdown Hill east to Brixton Deverill, via Bidcombe Hill, Whitecliff Down and Brims Down. (OS Explorer map number 143)
SOUTH EAST
Hampshire, The South Downs and the New Forest
Buster Hill
Between East Meon and Hambledon there are beautiful areas where access has been extended, especially around Buster Hill and the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. These areas are linked by the South Downs National Trail with new access areas at Small Down and Salt Hill. (OS Explorer map number 132)
Foxhill Moor
Within the New Forest are huge swathes of land newly classified as open access. One such area is close to Lyndhurst, extending across White Moor, Foxhill Moor, Matley Heath to Black Down, Yew Tree Heath to the east and leading to Beaulieu Heath in the south. (OS Explorer map number OL 22)
Watership Down
Going west from Kingsclere is a chain of new areas of down land mapped for open access. This stretches from The Warren, via Watership Down and Ladle Hill, to Beacon Hill. (OS Explorer map number 144)
Isle of Wight
Mottistone Down
In the west of the island Mottistone Common and Mottistone Down form a continuous walk on rights of way with Limerstone Down and Fore Down. (OS Explorer map number OL 29). In the east Bembridge Down and Culver Down offer coastal access with stunning sea views. (OS Explorer map number OL 29)
Sussex and the South Downs
Amberley Mount
Follow the north facing escarpment to Chantry Hill. A linear stretch of down land from Amberley to Sullington in West Sussex, then follow the line of the South Downs Way. (OS Explorer map number 121)
Newtimber Hill, Devil’s Dyke, Edburton Hill, Truleigh Hill, Tottington Mount and Anchor Bottom
A beautiful linear stretch of down, starting near Poynings and ending in Upper Beeding, West Sussex, that is well-linked with rights of way. Some of this area has permissive access, but important new areas have been added that will provide excellent walks. (OS Explorer map number 122)
EAST MIDLANDS
Leicestershire
Charnwood Lodge, Timberwood Hill and Warren Hills
Three linked areas of heath land just east of Coalville which, together with the nearby public access woodland, make up a lovely area to walk in. (OS Explorer map number 245)
WEST MIDLANDS
Staffordshire
The Weaver Hills
The Weaver Hills mark the beginning of the Peak District, but lying just to the south of the Peak District National Park they have never had the protection now afforded them under the CrOW Act. Linked by footpaths, these areas of mapped access land make up a good day’s walk and clearly show just how much of this limestone landscape has been lost to quarrying. (OS Explorer map number 259)
NORTH WEST
Peak District National Park
The Dragon’s BackHollins Hill, Chrome Hill, Parkhouse Hill, Hitter Hill and High Wheeldon
Located south of Buxton in an area of the Peak Park where there is relatively little access land, this series of “Dragon’s Back” hills offers some beautiful new walking opportunities and stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The new access land links well with existing rights of way and should be a boon for a number of villages and hamlets in the area. (OS map number OL24)
Hallam Moors, Derwent Moors, Ughill Moors, Bradfield Moors, Broomhead Moor, Midhope Moors and Bamford Moors
A huge area of open country that will provide a variety of opportunities to explore some truly beautiful countryside linked directly to Sheffield's suburbs. All these moors abound in industrial and social history and offer true wilderness walking away from rights of way. (OS map number OL1)
Longsett Moors and Barnside Moors
Lying just inside the Peak Park, close to the towns of Stocksbridge and Penistone, the Langsett area with its wide open moorlands is ideally placed for the first time walker. (OS map number OL1)
Forest of Bowland
Bleasdale Moors New
New access to these beautiful moors, which lie close to Garstang off the M6, can be reached via an existing right of way approximately 2km to the east or directly off a road running through Oakenclough to the west. A trig point (at 429 metres) provides a good panorama of the surrounding fells. A natural feature called the ‘arbour’ is accessible for the first time. (OS Explorer map number 41)
Marshaw Fell and Hawthornthwaite Fell
Fantastic areas of open country running through Marshaw, Lancashire, and off the Wyre Way, a promoted long distance footpath that are easily accessible from a road to the north of Bleasdale Moors (OS Explorer map number 41)
Ward Stone and Mallowdale Pike South East of Caton
There are a number of permissive paths and other rights of way that will provide jumping-off points for these exquisite fells. Ward Stone has a trig point and is one of the highest points locally, providing stunning views. CRoW will provide permanent access, as permissive access can be withdrawn at any time. (OS Explorer map 41)
Burn Moor
Known as the ‘forbidden moor’, Burn Moor now has public access for the first time in centuries. Located just south east of High Bentham, Burn Moor is accessible from two roads and a right of way. It links up with huge tracts of open country to provide magnificent, if challenging, walking. (OS Explorer map number 41)
Lancashire
Smithills Moor and Winter Hill
Located north of Bolton and providing views over the Manchester conurbation to the Pennines, this area is historically important. In 1896 a group of Bolton men marched to the moor to maintain their traditional right to walk across it. The landowner wanted to close access and until recently there had only been a footpath across the moor. To the north it links with another area of access land to create a large area of walking country. (OS Explorer map number 287)
South Pennines
Boulsworth Hill
At the western end of the Bronte Moors, Boulsworth Hill offers panoramic views at the boundary of Yorkshire and Lancashire. Located east of Nelson and Burnley, it is easily accessible across open country or from the Bronte Way or Pendle Way. (OS Explorer map OL21)
The Lake District
Due to its large areas of open countryside the Lake District National Park has always been popular with walkers, but some of its most stunning areas have been out of bounds and are only now being opened up due to CRoW.
Banna Fell
Overlooking Ennerdale water, this open moorland on the western side of the Park gives views as far as Whitehaven and the coast on one side and the whole of Ennerdale on the other. (OS Explorer maps number 303 and OL4)
Binsey
This is an isolated hill to the west of the Lake District. Due to its cut off position from the rest of the park, and the reluctance of the landowners meant it has never enjoyed full access until now. It enjoys great views of Bassenthwaite Lake, Over Water and much of the Lake District. (OS map number OL4)
Wansfell Ridge and Pike
Wansfell overlooks Ambleside and Lake Windermere and has new access land and much-improved access with new stiles and gates part of the provisions under the CRoW Act. (OS map number OL7)
Whinfell Ridge and Common
Due to this large area being just outside the National Park it has in the past never been fully open for walkers. This is the time to explore this part of the Lake District north of Kendal for the first time. (OS map number OL7)
YORKSHIRE and the NORTH EAST
Barnsley and Sheffield
Being just outside the Peak District National Park these areas are close to vast stretches of open country.
Wharncliffe Chase and Moor
This area of open heath and moor sits just south of Barnsley and north of Sheffield. With two adjoining nature reserves and large expanses of open access woodland just next door, it makes a great spot for a day out with the family. There is parking at Greno Wood. (OS Explorer map number 278)
Whitwell Moor
This small area of moor, on the outskirts of Stockbridge, borders the Peak Park. (OS map number OL1)
Northumberland
As one of the best upland walking areas in England the Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills Area of Outstanding National Beauty have had access for walkers provided via voluntary agreements for years. These are now permanent rights, with some areas opening for the first time because of CRoW.
Hartside and Geltsdale
A large expanse of open moorland just west of the Pennine Way to the west of Alston, which is fully open for the first time. (OS map number OL31 and OL43)
Blanchland Moor
Walowpike and the surrounding moor land were closed to walkers for a number of years until last May. This area and nearby open access Slaley Forest are easily reachable from the village of Blanchland. (OS map number OL43)
WALES
The Cnewr Estate in the Brecon Beacons
Containing some of the most dramatic scenery in the Brecon Beacons, the Cnewr Estate had for the last 20 years, until the 28th of May, access only through three permissive paths. Now walkers will be able to wander at will over the mountains and the wild moorland of the old Fforest Fawr. The site also allows walkers to explore the upper reaches of the Nedd Fechan River, scale spectacular vantage points like Fan Ffraith and trace the course of a long-abandoned tramway.(OS map number OL 12)
Bwrdd Arthur on Anglesey
. A limestone plateau of some 17 acres situated at the eastern end of Red Wharf Bay, near Llanddona, and the site of an Iron Age hill fort, it provides wonderful panoramic views over Anglesey and to the mainland. On a clear day the mountains of the Lake District and the Isle of Man are visible to the north. Tranquillity is maintained as there is no parking and visitors must arrive on foot. (OS Explorer 263)
Craig Ogwr and the Bwlch in the Rhondda Valley
The watershed between the Ogmore and Rhondda Valleys, north of Cardiff and Bridgend, offers breathtaking vistas along the valley ridges. The views stretch to north to the Brecon Beacons and south to the Vale of Glamorgan and the coast. (OS Explorer map number 151)
Yr Aran in Snowdonia
A dramatic peak on an ancient trackway with wonderful views of Snowdon, which at 1085m is the highest mountain in Wales, and the glorious Gwynant Valley below. (OS Explorer map number OL17).
Mynydd Mallaen
A beautiful upland plateau mined for gold by the Romans. Highlights included Crugiau Merched (Lady’s Cairn), which guards the plateau’s northern edge and bold almost alpine ridge lines in the south. (OS Explorer map number 187)
The Berwyn range
This large area of wild open moorland, mountains and the picturesque Dee valley has a wealth of different terrain to offer the adventurous walker. (OS Explorer map number 255)
The Clwydian Hills
An Area of Outstanding National Beauty which forms a dramatic ridge of undulating moorland separating the Vale of Clwyd from the Dee Estuary. Snowdonia to the west, Liverpool to the north and the Cheshire Plain to the east are all visible on a clear day. It is crossed by the famous Offa's Dyke National Trail. (OS Explorer map number 265)
The Pumlumon Massif
Boasts large swathes of open upland and the highest points in the Cambrian mountain range linking north to south. Its wonderful central location affords spectacular views in all directions, from the broad arc of Cardigan Bay to the west to the Brecon Beacons in the south, stretching even to the powerful summits of Cader Idris and the Carneddau in the north. This is a wild and dramatically empty landscape. (OS Explorer map number 213)
