Expanding England’s Right to Roam: The Campaign for Wider Countryside Access
The movement for broader public access to woodlands, waterways, and grasslands aims to reconnect people with nature and balance outdoor recreation with landowners’ rights.
England’s right to roam law is facing renewed calls for expansion. Campaigners argue that broader access to the countryside is essential for public health, equality, and nature connection, while some landowners and critics voice concerns over environmental impact and property rights. This article reviews the origins of the law, what it covers today, pressures for change, and the evolving debate over future reforms.
Current Status: What Is the Right to Roam?
The current law, established under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW), gives the public the conditional right to walk across specific ‘open access’ landscapes, such as mountain, moor, heath, downland, and registered common land.
However, the law excludes most woodlands, riversides, lakeshores, and privately owned fields. Developed land and gardens are also off-limits. In England, only around 8% of land is classified as open access, compared to nearly a fifth in Wales.
These areas are marked on official maps and often situated in remote uplands and national parks, including the Lake District, Peak District, and Yorkshire Dales.
- Open access applies mainly to mountain, moor, heath, and some coastal lands.
- Most grasslands, woodlands (outside Forestry England/Natural Resources Wales holdings), riversides, and lakesides remain closed.
- Users must respect wildlife, land management, and agricultural operations while roaming.
The Campaign for Expansion
Prominent advocacy groups including The Ramblers, Wildlife and Countryside Link, and righttoroam.org are spearheading efforts to expand the right to roam. Their aim is to extend legal access to include:
- Woodlands (especially privately owned)
- Watersides (rivers, lakes, and reservoirs)
- Additional grasslands and lowland areas
These expansions would allow millions more people to experience nature near their homes, addressing both health and social inequalities. Campaigners highlight research showing that expanding woodland access alone could more than double open-access coverage, bringing it from 8% to 17.5% of England’s land.
Why Expand Access?
The expansion movement is driven by a range of motivations, broadly grouped as follows:
- Health & Wellbeing: Exposure to nature improves mental and physical health by reducing stress and fostering active lifestyles.
- Social Equity: Residents of deprived and ethnically diverse areas travel much farther on average to reach open-access land.
- Environmental Stewardship: Direct experience of nature is linked to greater support for conservation policies.
- Biodiversity & Connection: Time beside water and in woodlands is associated with increased biodiversity awareness and therapeutic benefit.
Access Inequality in England
Studies show that people in the most deprived communities must travel up to 48% more to reach open countryside, while those in the most ethnically diverse neighbourhoods travel 73% further. Urban residents are also disadvantaged, living on average 18% farther from open-access land than rural dwellers.
Expanding rights would make it easier for all social groups to visit natural areas without excessive travel, supporting healthier and more inclusive communities.
The History and Legal Evolution of the Right to Roam
The concept of the right to roam has a long and contentious history:
- Early Campaigns: Walking clubs and public access organizations lobbied for countryside access throughout the 20th century.
- CROW Act 2000: After decades of campaigning, a landmark law was passed, granting the public statutory rights to access over three million acres.
- Regional Rollout: Open-access land was mapped and gradually introduced from 2000 to 2005.
- Scotland vs. England: Scotland introduced a much broader ‘responsible access’ law in 2003, covering almost all uncultivated land and setting a model for reformers in England.
What others are reading
The legal right to explore off paths is now fundamental to outdoor recreation and wellbeing—yet remains limited for the majority of England’s population.
Arguments For and Against Expansion
The push for reform draws support and opposition along several lines. Below is a summary of key views:
| Supporting Expansion | Opposing Expansion |
|---|---|
|
|
While campaigners stress that regulations and education (not restriction) provide better protections, opponents fear uncontrolled access could jeopardize farming operations and habitats.
Case Study: Scotland’s Right to Roam
Many English campaigners reference the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 as a less restrictive and more progressive model. Scotland introduced rights of responsible access, allowing:
- Access to most uncultivated land, woodlands, riversides, and hills
- Conditional rights—users must follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- Restrictions near buildings, crops, and sensitive wildlife areas
- Public confidence in walking, wild camping, and water sports
Proponents argue that Scotland’s system balances recreation with environmental and property protections via clear guidance, zoning, and community engagement.
Key Areas in Focus for Expansion
Woodlands
Currently, most privately owned woods remain closed to public roaming, though publicly managed Forestry England and Natural Resources Wales sites model how woodland access can coexist with conservation and timber operations. Campaigners want access to become ‘the norm’ for all woodlands, citing benefits to biodiversity, education, and wellbeing.
Watersides
Access to riversides, lakes, and reservoirs is heavily restricted—less than 2% of English rivers are open to public navigation, due to lobbying by angling and landowner interests. The England Coast Path (ongoing) offers a promising precedent, combining formal paths with ‘spreading room’ open-access zones. Campaigners envision a similar approach for inland waterways in future reforms.
Grasslands and Lowland Fields
Grasslands near towns and cities are excluded unless specifically registered. Expanding access could give urban residents vital green space and help bridge the gap between nature and densely populated areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the right to roam?
A: In England, the right to roam is a statutory right for the public to walk on certain types of countryside, such as moors, heaths, downs, and land registered as ‘open access’, but not most woodlands, riversides, or private fields.
Q: Why is there a campaign to expand the right to roam?
A: The campaign seeks to increase inclusion, health, and environmental engagement by giving people access to more natural spaces, especially near where they live.
Q: What would expansion include?
A: Campaigners advocate adding woodlands, riversides, lakeshores, and additional grasslands to those areas already covered, using a framework similar to Scotland’s responsible access law.
Q: What concerns do landowners have?
A: Concerns focus on disturbance to farming, livestock, wildlife, and the risk of trespass, damage, or litter. Campaigners respond that regulation and education can mitigate these risks.
Q: How does expanded access benefit the public?
A: It enables greater equality of access to vital green spaces, which promotes health, encourages outdoor activity, and increases public support for conservation.
Q: Could more access harm wildlife or sensitive areas?
A: Potentially, yes—however, proposals often include restrictions and the use of codes of conduct that safeguard habitats, especially in high-value or sensitive locations.
What’s Next for Reform?
A draft English Right to Roam Bill (2024) has been proposed by access groups, modeled on Scotland’s legislation. Calls for reform continue, though as of 2025, no major party has committed to expansive rights in their manifestos. Future policy debates will need to balance public health, environmental protection, property rights, and community voices. Larger access could recalibrate how English people experience and steward their countryside—bringing new responsibilities as well as opportunities.
How to Support the Right to Roam Campaign
Members of the public interested in supporting expanded access can:
- Join organizations such as The Ramblers or Wildlife & Countryside Link
- Engage with local authorities to map and promote access routes
- Respect existing codes and act as responsible stewards while enjoying the countryside
- Participate in policy consultations and share their views on reform
Summary Table: Areas Covered and Proposed for Expansion
| Landscape | Current Access | Proposed Expansion |
|---|---|---|
| Mountains, Moors, Heaths, Downs | Mostly open access | No change needed |
| Woodlands | Limited (mainly public forests) | Add private woodlands |
| Riversides, Lakeshores | Mostly closed | Introduce access rights |
| Grasslands, Lowland Fields | Limited, near cities/towns | Expand coverage |
Conclusion
The campaign to expand England’s right to roam is a pivotal moment in how people relate to countryside, health, and environment. Proposals seek to democratize access, close gaps in opportunity, and foster a culture of stewardship—while ensuring that protections for nature, farming, and property remain robust. For millions who currently lack nearby natural spaces, reform could offer not just ‘the right to roam’, but the right to reconnect.
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