Public Access
Conservation Walks and Rides
This page provides information about Defra's work involving public access to the countryside, funded by the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESAs) Scheme.
Defra maintains a database of Conservation Walks and Rides throughout England, provided under these schemes. You can search the database for walks and rides in your area for personal use.
The Countryside Stewardship Scheme also funds Educational Access, which provides for visits to farms by schools, colleges , clubs, youth groups, adult study centres and others. [More information]
Rights of Way
Rights of way are minor public highways that exist for the benefit of the community at large, in much the same way as the public road network. They are the most widely recognised facility that gives the public the opportunity to enjoy the English countryside. [More information]
Review Of Access In Agri-Environment Schemes: Outcome
A Review of Access in the Countryside Stewardship and Environmentally Sensitive Areas (ESA) Schemes has been carried out. The Review involved a public consultation exercise last summer, and the summary of the responses was published on the Defra website. These responses have been discussed subsequently with partners and Defra is now able to report on the progress and plans for delivering the outcomes. [More information]
Page last modified:
19 May, 2005
Page published: 10 April, 2003