Environment and roads

Open access land

A new permanent right of access on foot to “access land” in Hertfordshire came into effect on the 31st October 2005. The County Council has a role as Access Authority to oversee the implementation of the right.

What does the new right mean?

• The new right allows access on foot for activities that include picnicking, sightseeing and bird watching.
• You may take your dog(s) with you, although there are certain restrictions that may include keeping them on short leads or total bans at certain times of the year. Look out for local information.
• The new right does not permit activities such as horse riding or cycling, but permission may be granted for individual sites. Once again local information will provide more details.

Where does the new right apply?

• The new right applies only to “access land” which in Hertfordshire refers primarily to common land , the majority of which is partially or totally wooded.
• Waymarks and notices incorporating the “access land“ symbol will be used to identify some but not all sites on the ground.
• In Hertfordshire a large amount of “access land” was already open to the public before October. In such cases access simply carries on as before and you may not notice any changes on the ground.
• Maps identifying “access land” for the whole of England can be viewed on the national Countryside Access website (link at right) or hard copies specific to Hertfordshire can be viewed at the County Council offices in Hertford.
• Newer editions of the Ordnance Survey’s Explorer series maps (orange covers) will also identify “access land” and can be bought from bookshops and outdoor shops.

Are there any restrictions about where i can go?

• There are certain types of “access land”, where access will be limited to existing public or permissive rights of way.
• There will not always be any notices on the ground identifying these exclusions. The areas where you will not be able to walk freely include:
  • Land prepared for or growing crops or trees.
  • Buildings and the enclosures around them such as gardens and farmyards
  • Livestock pens
  • Land within twenty metres of a house or buildings containing livestock
  • Active quarries and mineral workings
  • Railways, airfields and structures such as substations and masts
  • Golf courses and race courses.
• In addition to these general exceptions land owners are entitled to close “access land” for up to 28 days in any year. Such closures will be publicised on site and on the countryside access website (link at right).