Country folk. Question from a city boy.
Discussion
Mods, I wasn't sure where to post this. I figured the Lounge may get more views.
I am considering a move to a semi-rural location on the edge of a large village/small town.
Checking maps, I see footpaths marked in fields which I am guessing are rights of way.
Am I allowed to walk in countryside/fields where here is no marked right of way? I have no intention of leaving gates open, letting my dogs loose, trampling crops, littering, shooting things, scrambler motorbiking - or even mountain biking.
Where I want to move is where I grew up in my early years up to the age of 9. That was 40 years ago, and rules may have changed. Looking at maps, the fields I walked and played in are not footpaths.
I'm talking here about England, as I understand rules are different in Scotland.
I am considering a move to a semi-rural location on the edge of a large village/small town.
Checking maps, I see footpaths marked in fields which I am guessing are rights of way.
Am I allowed to walk in countryside/fields where here is no marked right of way? I have no intention of leaving gates open, letting my dogs loose, trampling crops, littering, shooting things, scrambler motorbiking - or even mountain biking.
Where I want to move is where I grew up in my early years up to the age of 9. That was 40 years ago, and rules may have changed. Looking at maps, the fields I walked and played in are not footpaths.
I'm talking here about England, as I understand rules are different in Scotland.
Broadly only rights of way indicated on recent quality maps allow access to the public.
You could ask the landowner permission for your access onto their land where no public right of access is permitted by maps but they are unlikely to grant access as this could in time grant unrestricted access rights for all and sundry.
You could ask the landowner permission for your access onto their land where no public right of access is permitted by maps but they are unlikely to grant access as this could in time grant unrestricted access rights for all and sundry.
If you're looking on OS maps then if they are in magenta or green they are various forms of rights of way. If it's not, then it's showing there's a physical track but not necessarily with public access.
I agree with the above, don't go walking through fields unless it's clear you can, or you have to to get somewhere.
I would say that if there's an actual path, just use it - within reason anyway.
If someone really cares, they will either mark it as private, or tell you to p
s off!
I agree with the above, don't go walking through fields unless it's clear you can, or you have to to get somewhere.
I would say that if there's an actual path, just use it - within reason anyway.
If someone really cares, they will either mark it as private, or tell you to p
s off!No.
But. If there is an existing path follow it. They probably won't be bothered. I would be careful taking dogs over any farmland ROW or not.
(At the moment) Trespass is a civil offence, technically all they can do is say to get off their land, and then only claim for any damage you may have caused. However, there's no guarantee they won't get aggressive, as you might if you found someone walking their dog in your garden...
But. If there is an existing path follow it. They probably won't be bothered. I would be careful taking dogs over any farmland ROW or not.
(At the moment) Trespass is a civil offence, technically all they can do is say to get off their land, and then only claim for any damage you may have caused. However, there's no guarantee they won't get aggressive, as you might if you found someone walking their dog in your garden...
https://www.bing.com/maps
Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
Eg you might have a common with footpaths through it that everyone uses but they might not be official public footpaths.
Things like the strava heatmap shows where people actually walk or run and record their exercise, it doesn’t mean they have legal access and it might be the owner doing laps of his field but it might help.
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38....
I use it if I’m running somewhere new to give me ideas about where people go and where there’s likely to be access or new routes.
It covers the whole world and is basically everyone’s activities (who uses strava) on a map. You can show everything or just bike or runs etc
You might need a (free) account to log in to see the best details though.
Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
Eg you might have a common with footpaths through it that everyone uses but they might not be official public footpaths.
Things like the strava heatmap shows where people actually walk or run and record their exercise, it doesn’t mean they have legal access and it might be the owner doing laps of his field but it might help.
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38....
I use it if I’m running somewhere new to give me ideas about where people go and where there’s likely to be access or new routes.
It covers the whole world and is basically everyone’s activities (who uses strava) on a map. You can show everything or just bike or runs etc
You might need a (free) account to log in to see the best details though.
El stovey said:
https://www.bing.com/maps
Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
Eg you might have a common with footpaths through it that everyone uses but they might not be official public footpaths.
Things like the strava heatmap shows where people actually walk or run and record their exercise, it doesn’t mean they have legal access and it might be the owner doing laps of his field but it might help.
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38....
I use it if I’m running somewhere new to give me ideas about where people go and where there’s likely to be access or new routes.
It covers the whole world and is basically everyone’s activities (who uses strava) on a map. You can show everything or just bike or runs etc
You might need a (free) account to log in to see the best details though.
That’s fantastic. Thank you!Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
Eg you might have a common with footpaths through it that everyone uses but they might not be official public footpaths.
Things like the strava heatmap shows where people actually walk or run and record their exercise, it doesn’t mean they have legal access and it might be the owner doing laps of his field but it might help.
https://www.strava.com/heatmap#7.00/-120.90000/38....
I use it if I’m running somewhere new to give me ideas about where people go and where there’s likely to be access or new routes.
It covers the whole world and is basically everyone’s activities (who uses strava) on a map. You can show everything or just bike or runs etc
You might need a (free) account to log in to see the best details though.
Pretty much all summed up above
If people came and asked to walk about here they'd be much preferred to those that just go and do it. We have quite a few footpaths already though.
Nothing more irritating than constantly telling people to go back to the footpath and/or to put a dog on a lead. Standard response "i'm not doing any harm"
If people came and asked to walk about here they'd be much preferred to those that just go and do it. We have quite a few footpaths already though.
Nothing more irritating than constantly telling people to go back to the footpath and/or to put a dog on a lead. Standard response "i'm not doing any harm"
El stovey said:
https://www.bing.com/maps
Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
Holy crap I never knew that was a thing. Never occurred to me that Bing would be worth a look Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
seiben said:
El stovey said:
https://www.bing.com/maps
Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
Holy crap I never knew that was a thing. Never occurred to me that Bing would be worth a look Selecting ordinance survey on the top right let’s you see where the ‘official’ footpaths and bridlepaths are where you have legal access, they’re either dotted or dashed red or green depending on how much you zoom. There will possibly be other paths that people use but depending on who owns the land there might be restrictions.
There used to be a cool Birdseye view with 3d photos which got abandoned.
Nico Adie said:
It's quite shocking reading this having grown up and lived basically all my life in Scotland, it's just not something that would even enter my head as a consideration. Not intended as an insult in any way, so apologies if it seems that way. It's just quite startling.
As in you would never walk on someone's land without permission, or there is more of a right to roam in Scotland?Nico Adie said:
It's quite shocking reading this having grown up and lived basically all my life in Scotland, it's just not something that would even enter my head as a consideration. Not intended as an insult in any way, so apologies if it seems that way. It's just quite startling.
Yes it's bloody annoying, I wish we had the same open access laws in England, there's no reason why if people are respectful and reasonable it couldn't work and provide a real asset to people who want to enjoy the great outdoors. Problem is it would almost certainly get abused and ruined by a minority leaving rubbish everywhere and disrespecting the land ultimately spoiling it for everybody else. Wildcat45 said:
Thanks. Looking on Google earth I can see lots of physical tracks but few are marked. Fortunately - through no connection with my childhood - I vaguely know a local farmer/landowner.
If I move, I'll give him a call and hopefully get permission for his land.
The relevant council will have the definitive map of footpaths, and many councils make that available online, so you can see what's what.If I move, I'll give him a call and hopefully get permission for his land.
Definitive doesnt mean definitive though as there always seem to be disputes going on, although that could be just where I live (england/nth wales border) as the developers are constantly trying to shut footpaths down so they can build on them
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