As a result of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000  a new right to walk on ‘access land’, (generally; mountain, moor, heath and downland) together with registered common land is comming into effect area by area. The Countryside Agency’s role...

Open Access

©Countryside Agency/Graham Parish
As a result of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 a new right to walk on ‘access land’ (generally mountain, moor, heath and downland) together with registered common land has come into effect.
The role of the Countryside Agency - now Natural England - was to identify these areas on maps and present the information to the public for consultation. 

The country has been divided into eight 'access mapping' areas. The South West region takes in three of them:

  • area 3 - 'Central Southern England'  which includes Dorset, Wiltshire, eastern Somerset and former Avon.
  • area 6 - 'Southwest' which includes Cornwall, Devon and western Somerset.
  • area 7 - West' which includes Gloucestershire.                

For detailed information on open access and to view maps, as well as much more, see the Countryside Access website, or alternatively telephone the Access helpline: 0845 100 3298