Rights of Way - Walks Around Britain

What are Public Rights of Way?

A Public Right of Way is a highway which can be used by the public by the public at all times - and here, a highway means footpaths, bridleways and byways instead of the American meaning of a major road.

Public Rights of Way can be on any land, including privately owned land.  It is an offence to wilfully block free passage along a Public Right of Way without lawful authority or excuse.  If you come across an illegal obstruction then you have the  right to take a short detour around it or remove it as much as is necessary to get past.

On all types of Public Right of Way you can take a pushchair or wheelchair if the path is suitable, although many are across farmland so may have an uneven surface and may have gates or stiles.  You are also allowed to have a small picnic on Public Rights of Way, but remember to take your litter home.

You can also take a dog, but it must be kept under close control, especially when near livestock. Please be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your dog - it is an offence to allow your dog to foul on a Public Right of Way.   Also, make sure your dog does not stray off the path or you may be committing trespass against the landowner, and you could be asked to leave.

Footpaths (Yellow arrow)

Footpaths are for walkers - including prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs - but remember that some paths, particularly those in the countryside, may not be suitable for them.  Dogs are allowed on Public Footpaths although you may have  to keep it on a lead or under close control.

There is no right to ride a cycle along a public footpath, although individual landowners may permit cycling on some routes which are public footpaths - and these are usually signed to indicate that cycling is permitted.

Bridleway (Blue arrow)

Bridleways are for walkers, horse riders and cyclists. You can also lead a horse along a bridleway. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horses. You should be aware that some bridleways are not physically suitable for cycles.

Restricted Byway  (Plum arrow)

Restricted byways are for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders and horse-drawn vehicles.  Mechanically propelled vehicles are not allowed on restricted byways.

Byway open to all traffic  (Red arrow)

Byways open to all traffic (or BOATs for short) are for walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, horse-drawn vehicles and motor vehicles.

How to find rights of way

Ordnance Survey (OS) maps are the easiest way of finding out rights of way in a particular area.  The most useful OS maps are Explorer series (1:25,000 scale) - these show all public rights of way and permissive paths in green.  The Landranger series (1:50,000 scale) show public rights of way in red but doesn't show as much detail.  

You can buy OS maps online here or if you just want to look at an area, Bing Maps   have both 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scale OS maps on their website.

When you're out and about, rights of way are often signposted with the coloured arrows.

Does anyone have a definitive list of Public Rights of Way?

Yes, in England and Wales local councils must record the existence and locations of rights of way and make sure this information is available for public use.  This is called the Definitive Map and will be available to view during office  hours at a local council office.  It may also on the web as several councils have online walking route planners based on the Definitive Map in their area.

Problems in using a right of way

If you have a problem using a right of way because of an obstruction, poor maintenance or a misleading sign, you could help others using the path after you by reporting it to:

• the National Park Authority if it's in a national park
  

• the local highway authority for land outside national parks - you can contact them through your local council
  

• the Forestry Commission in woodland
  

Local authorities, landowners and land occupiers all have a duty to keep public rights of way open and useable.


There are other types of paths - often called 'Concessionary', 'permissive' or 'permitted' paths.  These are not public rights of way as of right, but are paths along which the landowner permits people to walk or ride.  The permission   may be limited to certain types of user, like only walkers.  The permission may be a written agreement or just verbal and may be withdrawn by the landowner at any time.

Rights of way in Scotland

In Scotland, a right of way is treated differently to those in England and Wales.  A Scottish right of way is any route over which the public has been able to pass for at least 20 years and must link two public places, for  example, a village, church or road.

Unlike England and Wales, Scottish local authorities don't have to signpost or mark a right of way or maintain a Definitive Map of Rights of Way in their area.  Because of this, Ordnance Survey maps for Scotland don't show Rights  of Way.

The charity Scotways aims to identify, research and record Scotland's old paths and roads.  Their staff and volunteers have already discovered hundreds of old ways from Roman Roads to Pilgrim Paths.