Open access land is designated for walking and outdoor recreation on foot. This means that you can go:

• Walking
• Dog walking
• Running
• Climbing
• Birdwatching
• or even have a picnic (as long as you take your rubbish home with you…).

As open access land can cover rural businesses and areas of sensitive wildlife, there are a number of activities that you are not allowed to do without the landowner’s permission. These include:

• Walking a dog off the lead around livestock (or between 1 March and 31 July)
• Cycling or horse riding
• Water sports, including swimming or taking a boat onto a river, lake or reservoir
• Driving a motorised vehicle
• Lighting fires or camping
• Shooting, foraging or picking flowers
• Using a metal detector
• Taking part in organised games or commercial activities
• Interfering with activities of farmers or other landowners