Know Before You Go: Roam Responsibly

How to access the countryside responsibly

📘 Download Our Free Guide: “Know the Path”

A handy one-pager explaining the difference between rights of way and permissive paths, with tips on how to walk responsibly. 👉 Download Now

As the days grow warmer and the countryside calls, more of us are donning walking boots, grabbing picnic blankets, and heading into the wild green spaces around Andover.

But how much do we really know about the paths we walk?

Many people are surprised to learn that not all countryside routes are created equal. Some are public rights of way, protected by law. Others are permissive paths, which exist thanks only to the goodwill of the landowner.

Understanding the difference isn’t just a legal matter — it’s a way to show respect for the land, support conservation efforts, and keep these beautiful spaces open for everyone.

Public Right of Way / Permissive Path… So, what’s the difference?

Public Rights of Way

These are routes the public has a legal right to use, even though they often cross private land. You’ll see them marked on Ordnance Survey maps or with coloured arrows on gates and posts:

Footpaths (yellow): for walking only.
Bridleways (blue): for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.
Restricted Byways (plum): for non-motorised vehicles.
Byways Open to All Traffic (red): for walkers, cyclists, horses, and vehicles.

These routes are part of our shared national heritage. They're protected by law and maintained with help from local councils and sometimes volunteer groups like ours. There is only ONE Public Right of Way in the Diamond Woods. It is located in the eastern end and transects the wood in a straight line from north to south.

Permissive Paths

These routes look similar to rights of way but don’t have the same legal status. They are voluntarily opened by landowners and may be:

Seasonal (closed during lambing or nesting season)
Temporary
Subject to conditions (e.g., dogs must be on leads)
Closed at the landowner’s discretion

You might find permissive paths in nature reserves, farmland, or woodland. Often they are part of stewardship schemes where landowners balance conservation with public enjoyment. In the Diamond Wood all paths are permissive (except the one public right of way described above) and are available for public use at the discretion of Andover Trees United, who have the right to do any of the above.

Imagine inviting someone into your garden, You’d hope they’d:

Use the paths you've laid out,
Not trample the flowerbeds,
Close the gate behind them,
And leave things how they found them.

That’s exactly how permissive access works. It’s a gesture of trust. And unfortunately, when that trust is broken — through littering, wandering off-path, or dogs disturbing wildlife — landowners may be forced to close access entirely.

Respecting the difference between a right of way and a permissive path helps us:

Protect wildlife and habitats
Maintain access for future generations
Support the people who work and care for the land

How to Walk (and Ride) Responsibly

Check your route – use apps like OS Maps or the Ordnance Survey website to identify which paths are public and which are permissive.
Keep dogs under control or on lead – Always follow signage, particularly around livestock and in ground-nesting bird season (March–July).
Follow signage and close gates behind you – especially in working farmland.
Take your litter home – even biodegradable items can harm animals and ecosystems.
Be courteous to farmers, rangers, and other walkers. A smile and a wave go a long way.

Access to Nature is a Shared Responsibility

At Andover Trees United, we believe everyone deserves to connect with nature. But with that right comes the responsibility to care for it — not just for our enjoyment today, but for the generations who will follow in our footsteps.

So before your next walk through the Diamond Wood, around Harmony Woods, or anywhere the countryside welcomes you — take a moment to ask: Is this a right… or a privilege? Knowing the path you're on is one small act that makes a big difference.

📘 Download Our Free Guide: “Know the Path”

A handy one-pager explaining the difference between rights of way and permissive paths, with tips on how to walk responsibly.
👉 Download Now

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Tag your countryside adventures with #RespectThePath and follow us on social media for updates, events, and more.

Hannah Cantellow29 May 2025Comment