Right to Roam in England & Wales, how to know...

[Voiceofthelens]

I hope this might help some others.
A couple of days ago, I discovered that some mapping websites show (and allow printing of) the Ordnance Survey 25,000:1 maps. These do include the areas of England and Wales, where "Right to roam" applies. (Access land). Those areas are shown by a thick, mucky orange border.
They also show very clearly where footpaths, rights of way and bridleways are located.

If you go to streetmap.co.uk and then view the map at zoom level 3, you will see what I mean.

Access Land can be difficult to identify.
However, there are a few easy guides to areas which are definitely NOT access land. Generally, if there are houses, or Industrial buildings, or if there is a lush green "field" bordered by a wall, or fence, or hedgerow, then it tends to not be Access Land.

So, if your first sentence starts with "I just nipped over the wall/fence/hedge into the field because I thought it was Access Land....." then you are probably wrong.

Hope that helps.

 

[Ivan S]

That's good to know, I have been wondering where I can wander about, I am pretty new to the area I live in and have not got a clue, these will come in very handy

 

[AJQS]

So basically the same way you'd always have know, by looking at a map?

Where footpaths cross Right to Roam land there i usually a marker on the footpath sign at the border to say so too, but not always, depends on when the sign was last renewed.

You can view Ornance Survey maps online at:

http://www.getamap.ordnancesurveyleisure.co.uk - one of the least user friendly web addresses ever created.

 

[TheTimeChamber]

I find it is easier to ask forgiveness (and run away when seen), than ask for permission

 

[magicaxeman]

To be honest, if in doubt... ask permission, its a hell of a lot safer than finding yourself on the wrong end of a .223 or .243 when you've wandered unseen into an area used for shooting.