Twenty-five years ago, the UK government granted greater freedom for the public to access open countryside when it passed the Countryside and Rights of Way Act in England and Wales (CRoW). Before CRoW, large parts of the countryside were off limits. CRoW changed this, enabling more people to get outdoors.

The Ramblers played a key role in securing the CRoW Act. But a law that was bold in 2000 falls short in 2025. Across England, access to nature is deeply unequal and despite knowing the significant benefits of walking, the Government is not taking action.

Boulsworth Hill

Boulsworth Hill looks down towards Haworth, the village the Brontë sisters called home. In 1999, Gorden Prentice MP stood and spoke about the legislation going through government at the time and what it meant for the area:

“What is about to happen is long overdue… In my constituency, we are surrounded by thousands of acres of open countryside that is out of bounds … To the east is Boulsworth Hill … That was the inspiration for Wuthering Heights and Heathcliff, yet it is off limits. At some point in the past we, the public, lost the right to work on that moorland.”

The area became open to the public thanks for the CRoW’s mapping of access land across “mountain, moor, heath and down”.

Discover the area, with our Widdop & Wadsworth Moor route

 

Beacon Hill, Buckinghamshire

Beacon Hill is one of the highest points in the Chilterns. From the top, you can see for miles around with panoramic views over the Vale of Aylesbury. It’s a perfect spot for sunset.

It was opened up for public walking as part of the open access land that was designated by the CRoW in 2000.

“I was thrilled that we won Beacon Hill, that wonderful conical outpost of the Chilterns near Elleborough in Bucks … It is exhilarating not having to watch your way; to chase a birdsong in the hope of identifying it, or to catch a view or a sunset”. 
Kate Ashbrook, former chair of the Ramblers

Beacon Hill sits above Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official countryside retreat. In 2005, the walk came under threat when it was nearly closed off to protect Chequers. We campaigned again to protect this wonderful area for the public, and happily, we were successful. 

Walk our Beacon Hill route

 

Forest of Bowland 

There are very few rights of way in the Forest of Bowland, so before the CRoW Act – and the mapping of open access land – the landscape was largely off limits to the public.

Bowland was among the first areas open up to the public after the introduction of CRoW. Before, those passing by would only be able to glimpse across the forbidden land. Now, everyone now has the chance to walk with freedom across dramatic sweeps of open moorland and gentle lowland criss-crossed with dry stone walls.

Discover our Forest of Bowland route 

 

Midhope Moor

Midhope Moor stands on the edge of the Peak District, a landscape of sweeping heather, boggy earth and big open skies. It’s a huge area of open country and t provides opportunities to explore close to nearby Sheffield and Huddersfield.

Thanks to CRoW, Midhope Moor became mapped as open access land giving everyone the right to walk freely across it – beyond the confines of paths. Here, you can truly experience a sense of space and freedom.

It was a here, by a locked gate on 17 November 1999, that a group of Ramblers campaigners listened to the radio to hear the Queen announce: “A bill will be introduced to give people greater access to the countryside and to improve protection for wildlife”.

Discover Midhope Moor with our Langsett Reservoir circular walk 

 

 

Winter Hill

In 1896, a crowd of thousands marched to Winter Hill to protect their traditional right to enjoy it, after the landowner tried to close a much-used route that took you to the top. The protest and ensuing court case failed, and the route was closed for a century.

When CRoW was introduced in 2000, Winter Hill was mapped as open access land and once again, it could be enjoyed again by the public – as it had been for centuries before.

Winter Hill sits north of Bolton, providing views over Manchester to the Pennines. It’s an significant part of the story of the fight to open the countryside for everyone.

Walk our Winter Hill route   

 

 

What's next for walking?

Too much of England is still off limits or hard to access. The current Labour government has made no meaningful progress on its pre-election promise to improve access to nature in England. It risks being the first Labour government since the 1940s not to improve access.

Join us in telling the Government: Enough broken promises. Everyone deserves to walk in nature.