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

Did you know that in England and Wales, there is no general legal right to walk along the coast and on beaches? Currently much of the access the public has to areas such as beaches and cliff tops are by permission of the landowner. Ramblers is campaigning for a legal right of access to our coastline and beaches for future generations. The Marine Bill contains important provisions for improving access

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: 14 December 2009