Home / Environment / Right to Roam: 100 Years of Access to England's Wilds
Right to Roam: 100 Years of Access to England's Wilds
24 Jan
Summary
- Landmark legislation from a century ago granted public access rights.
- Campaigns secured rights to walk and ride on millions of acres of land.
- Concerns exist over littering and illegal camping impacting access.
January marks the centenary of pivotal legislation that established public rights of access for walking and riding across approximately half a million acres in England and Wales. This significant achievement resulted from dedicated campaigns, notably by the Open Spaces Society, which have since expanded public access to numerous natural landscapes nationwide.
Further legislation in 2000 extended these rights to all remaining commons. While celebrated for providing recreational spaces, wildlife habitats, and preserving heritage, concerns are surfacing. Issues like increased littering and illegal camping by some outdoor visitors are reportedly causing friction with landowners, potentially threatening future access to these cherished areas.
