Freedom to Roam

The Ramblers' Association has been at the forefront of the campaign, dating back over a century, to gain wider public access to open uncultivated countryside for recreational enjoyment. After years of campaigning by the RA, we now have a legal right of access on foot to "open country" as defined by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000(CRoW). The new rights of access currently apply to mapped areas of mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land and gives the public the chance to legally explore away from the beaten track for the first time.

More Information on the Right of Access:

RAlogoRA: Access Website




OPSI: Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW)




NE iconNE: CROW Access Land Maps




Defra logoDefra: Access to the Countryside

Help us safeguard access to Yorkshire's coastline

Maw Wyke Hole

The East Riding is among the first six areas to be surveyed in order to implement the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) The Act places a duty on Natural England to use its proposed powers to secure twin objectives, one relating to a long-distance walking route around the English coast (the trail), the other to an accessible margin of land in association with the route where people will be able to spread out and explore, rest or picnic should they wish to (spreading room). The route of the trail will be decided first. Where there is an existing route along the coast that meets the criteria for the trail set out in the Scheme, the trail will adopt that route. But where there is none, or where an existing route is unsatisfactory, a new or improved route will be provided.

Open Access Land

Thixen Dale

After decades of campaigning by the Ramblers' Association, we now have a legal right of access on foot to some of the dry valleys in the Yorkshire Wolds. This new legal right - or right to roam - provided by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW), applies, in the Wolds, mainly to mapped areas of uncultivated chalk grassland. The Wolds were mapped in two stages: first that in North Yorkshire (Region 5) and later that in the East Riding (Region 8).

Useful Links

Official Documents Relating to Open Access

OsGu logoMapping Utility




OsGu logoAlternative Mapping Utility
RAlogoRA: National Website




logoRecent EYD Rambles

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Updated: 13 June 2010