A public right of way is a highway over which the public have a right of access along a linear route.

Types of Way

The nature of the right determines the type of way, which can be either of the following.

Public Footpath

The right of way is on foot only, and waymarked with yellow arrows.

Public Bridleway

The right of way is on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle; and waymarked with blue arrows.

Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT)

The right of way is for vehicles and all other kinds of user, and waymarked with red arrows.

Restricted Byway

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 will replace existing 'road used as public paths' (RUPPs) with restricted byways. The public will have a right of way on foot, on horseback, on a bicycle and be able to use a horsedrawn carriage.

Your Rights

On rights of way you can:

• Take a pram, pushchair, wheelchair, but expect to encounter stiles on footpaths
• Take a dog under close control but be aware that there may be no way for dogs at stiles
• Take a short alternative route around an illegal obstruction
• Move an illegal obstruction sufficiently to get past

Access to Land

In addition to public rights of way access, land is being made available to the public.

Some of this access land is voluntarily provided by permission of the landowner, for a limited period, under the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Although not normally shown on maps, a signboard is usually located at the entrance to the access area.

New access land will be shown on Ordnance Survey (OS) maps once the mapping process under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 has been completed. This will include areas of mountain, moor, heath, downland and common land. There may also be other areas which landowners will choose to ‘dedicate' for access.

For more information please see the Natural England website: Mapping Access Land in England (www.countryside.gov.uk/access/mapping).

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer maps (orange cover) are recommended for planning and following a route through the countryside. The maps show most areas open to the public; including public rights of way, access areas and helpful tourist information.

These are available from bookshops and larger newsagents. For more details, see the Ordnance Survey website (www.ordsvy.gov.uk).

Other Useful Websites

• Defra website (www.defra.gov.uk/rural/publicaccess)
• National Trust website (www.nationaltrust.org.uk)
• Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk)
• Woodland Trust website (www.woodland-trust.org.uk)