Your questions answered

What does the new right include?
What does the new right NOT include?
Can the public take dogs on to Open Access land?
Can I walk on all land mapped as access land?
Do I have to enter access land at a particular place?
Is rock-climbing allowed?
Will I be able to walk at night?
What about existing rights of way that cross access land?
What happens if I break the rules?

What does the new right include?

The new right includes most open-air recreational activities carried out on foot, including walking, sightseeing, bird-watching, climbing and running. Access by wheelchair or recognised invalid carriage is also permitted.

The new right enables 'Open Access', which means that people will be able to wander freely across access land and won't have to stick to public rights of way.

What does the new right NOT include?

The new right does not include riding a horse or bicycle, or driving a vehicle (except a recognised invalid carriage), or certain other activities such as camping - but where these activities already take place (e.g. horse riding on an existing bridleway), they are unaffected.

The new right is subject to special rules about the control of dogs.

Access may sometimes be restricted for reasons such as land or livestock management or nature conservation.

There are a few places where the public cannot go, even if they are within mapped areas of access land - these are called 'excepted' areas.

Can the public take dogs on to Open Access land?

The new right requires dog owners to keep their dog on a lead of no more than 2 metres long between 1 March and 31 July (the main breeding period for ground-nesting birds) or at any time of the year when near to livestock. The Yorkshire Dales National Park has some internationally important ground nesting birds - you can find out more by downloading our leaflet from our Document Library.

Ground Nesting Birds - The Big Five in the Yorkshire Dales (opens Document Library)

Specific local restrictions may also be in place. For example, dogs are excluded from most grouse moors. Please check the Open Access maps and restrictions information on the Countryside Access website (opens in new window) and look out for local signs. Members of the public will still be able to take dogs along public rights of way, which are unaffected by such exclusions and restrictions.

If you'd like to find out more about how to make your visit to open access land with your dog a safe and satisfying experience, particularly during the bird nesting and lambing season, why not listen to the Paws on the Moors podcast, which was produced by Dan Boys for the Moors for the Future Partnership in 2007. The 25 minute radio play is set over a year during which Barney, a young collie-cross, learns about the delights and some of the dangers a dog can find on and around the moors. Through his ‘blog’, Barney makes new friends, including two experienced working dogs that also help to reform the mischievous Bingo, a Lakeland terrier who likes to bite off more than he can chew.

A printed version of the podcast script is available to download if you would rather read the play. To view this PDF file you will need Acrobat Reader. Download Acrobat Reader (opens in new window).

Paws on the Moors podcast (Dan Boys and Moors for the Future Partnership, 2007)

Can I walk on all land mapped as access land?

No. The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act requires Natural England (website opens in new window) to show all land on its statutory maps that is open country or registered common land. This will also be shown on editions of the OS Explorer Maps (from 2005 onwards).

The Act also introduces a new concept of 'Excepted Land'. This covers some areas of access land that because of their location or use are not subject to the new rights, regardless of whether they appear on the new maps. Such areas include buildings, railway lines, golf courses or parks, active quarries and land within 20 metres of a house or building containing livestock.

Do I have to enter access land at a particular place?

Not usually, unless local restrictions require it, but please use existing entry points such as gates and stiles wherever possible. You must not damage any walls, fences or hedges on your way in or out.

Is rock-climbing allowed?

Yes, provided there are no local restrictions such as for nature conservation. Climbing is at your own risk and must not cause any damage.

Will I be able to walk at night?

Yes, unless local restrictions rule this out. Obviously, you will have to be prepared to take extra care not to trip or fall, take adequate protective clothing with you, and wear reflective strips. Remember, as in daytime, you may not go within 20 metres of a house, or a building containing livestock.

What about existing rights of way that cross access land?

Public rights of way are not affected by local access restrictions. As always, please follow the Countryside Code.

What happens if I break the rules?

You could be asked to leave and lose your right of access to the land for 72 hours. In serious or repeated cases, you could face a court injunction to stay away.