Access Land

WHERE IS THE ACCESS LAND? - View our Access Land Map to find out about these new areas of Countryside in Bath & North East Somerset

Access to the Countryside

FROM Dec 14th 2004 people in Bath & North East Somerset were given the right to walk across new areas of the countryside.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) has given people the right of pedestrian access to more areas of the countryside such as mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land.

Cllr Sir Elgar Jenkins, Executive Member for Transport and Highways said: “I welcome this new right to walk on more of the beautiful countryside in Bath & North East Somerset and I’m sure we will all respect the Countryside Code.”

This new right is for pedestrians only and does not extend to horse riders, mountain bikers or people driving or riding in a vehicle. However, visitors can take dogs onto CRoW access land, unless there are special restrictions. Dogs must be on short leads between March 1 and July 31 and at all times when there are livestock nearby.

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About Access Land

This Access Land is part of the new access created by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.

• The Act does not introduce a ‘right to roam’ on any land, but introduces new access on defined Access Land. 
• Existing access including any public rights of way is not affected. 
• Access Land may occasionally be closed to the public.
• When this happens, signs showing the times and dates that restrictions apply should be displayed.

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On Access Land you Can...

• Carry out most activities on foot, including walking, running, climbing, bird watching and picnicking. (The new right is for pedestrians only - see below)

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On Access Land you Can't...

• Climb over or through walls, fences or gates, use a metal detector or remove anything from the area (for instance plants). 
• There is no new right to ride or lead a horse, cycle, or bring any vehicle onto the land.
• Please control your dog. Dogs can disturb wildlife (for example ground-nesting birds) and livestock.
  • Between 1st March and and 31st July dogs must be kept on a short fixed lead as well any other time when livestock are near.
  • Please clean up after your dog and dispose of any mess responsibly.

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Where is the Access Land?

The Public Rights of Way team is working with landowners to continue to improve access and provide information on appropriate sites. Whilst many of the newly mapped areas are small isolated pockets of land there are several sites in which the public may enjoy visiting, for instance Bannerdown Common North of Bath, Breach Hill Common and Knowle Hill in the Chew Valley and some land near Radstock.

• Access Land Maps

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Be Safe

• Please take proper care of yourself and any children or dogs accompanying you on Access Land.  (The occupier is not liable for anyone injured on natural features of the landscape, such as rocks, trees, rivers, streams, ditches or ponds)

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Follow the Countryside Code

Please follow the Countryside Code:

• Be Safe – plan ahead and follow any signs
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
• Keep dogs under close control
• Consider other people

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Reporting a Problem

To report a problem on this Access Land, please contact our Public Rights of Way Team via the contact details given to the left of this page.

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More Information

For more information on Access Land, contact the Open Access Contact Centre via their website at  www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk  or telephone 0845 100 3298.