What you can do on access land?
The new right of access under the Countryside and Right of Way Act 2000 allows recreational activities on foot such as walking, bird-watching and climbing on the 940,000 hectares of mapped open countryside.
If you can it is always a good dear to check www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk before you head off to see if the area you are visiting has any restrictions and always follow any signs and warnings you may come across.
Some things are specifically not allowed on access land under the Act, these are given as a list of general restrictions. This list included such things as:
- Driving or riding any vehicle
- Using a vessel or sailboard on any non-tidal water
- Having with you any animal other than a dog
- lighting or tending a fire
- Intentionally killing or disturbing any wildlife
- Intentionally damaging or destroying any eggs, nests or plants
- Feeding livestoc,
- Bathing in any non-tidal water
- Hunting, shooting or fishing
- Using a metal detector,
- Bbstructing the flow of any drain or watercourse
- Neglecting to shut any gate, except where it is ntended to be left open,
- Engaging in any organised games, or in camping, hang-gliding or para-gliding
- engaging in any activity which is organised or undertaken (whether by him or her or another) for any commercial purpose
However, as in the past, a landowner may give permission for any of these activities on their land, and may also withdraw that permission without notice.