Harriet Bennett
There is a particular pleasure in following a waymarked path through a hedge-lined field, over a stile and into a wood. But the countryside is a working place, and the signs, gates and stiles you meet are part of a legal system that balances walkers’ access with farmers’ livelihoods. Learning to read them takes only a little effort—and it makes every walk safer, kinder and more confident.
Start with the sign on the gate
Most public rights of way in England and Wales begin with a fingerpost at the roadside. The disc or arrow on the post tells you what kind of route you are on. The colour code is standard:
- Yellow – footpath.
- Blue – bridleway.
- Red – restricted byway.
- Purple – byway open to all traffic.
You may also see the acorn symbol of a National Trail, or white arrows for a permissive path. A permissive path is not a public right of way; the landowner has allowed access and can close it or change it. If in doubt, check the local council’s definitive map—the legal record of public rights of way.
What each right of way allows
The colour tells you who can use the route, but the differences matter:
- A footpath is for walking only. You can take a pushchair or wheelchair if the surface allows, but not a horse or bicycle.
- A bridleway is for walking, horse riding and cycling. Cyclists must give way to walkers and riders.
- A restricted byway is for walking, horse riding, cycling and horse-drawn vehicles. Motor vehicles are not allowed.
- A byway open to all traffic is rare, and is used by walkers, riders, cyclists and motor vehicles, though it may be no more than a rough track.
In Scotland, the rules are different. The right to roam under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives broad access to most land and inland water, provided you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Waymarks are less common, and you should respect signs asking you to avoid sensitive areas.
Waymarks, stiles and the small print
Between fingerposts, look for waymark discs on gates, fence posts and trees. A yellow arrow means footpath; blue means bridleway; red means restricted byway; purple means byway open to all traffic. In some counties, the local authority uses its own style, but the colours remain a reliable guide.
Stiles, kissing gates and bridle gates are there to let you through without letting livestock out. Use them properly and leave them as you find them:
- Leave gates as you find them—open if open, closed if closed.
- Use the stile or gate; never climb walls, fences or hedges.
- If a stile is broken or a gate is tied shut, report it to the highway authority rather than forcing a way through.
- Keep to the line of the path. On a cross-field path, the route may not be obvious, but waymarks and a worn line usually show the way.
Across farmland and open access land
On farmland, the path is a legal right, but it passes through someone’s workplace. Crops may be growing, livestock may be grazing, and machinery may be moving. Walk quietly, keep to the path, and give animals plenty of room. If a field is ploughed and the path is not reinstated, you can report it; farmers are generally required to restore the path within a set period.
Dogs need especial care. On open access land in England and Wales, dogs must be on a short lead between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near livestock. On public rights of way, keep dogs under close control and on a lead around farm animals. Never let a dog chase sheep, cattle or horses—it can cause injury, abortion and distress, and it is an offence.
Open access land, created under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, covers much mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land. You can walk freely there, but you must not camp, light fires, or disturb wildlife. Village edges have their own etiquette: keep to pavements and verges where possible, and do not block driveways or gateways.
If your smallholding has a public right of way
For smallholders, a right of way across the land is both a legal duty and a chance to build goodwill. You must keep the path clear and usable. That means:
- Maintaining stiles, gates and bridges on the path.
- Not obstructing the route with fences, machinery, hedges or electric fencing.
- Keeping crops and vegetation from blocking the way.
- Checking the definitive map before buying land, so you know exactly where the path runs.
If you keep livestock, plan grazing so that animals are not a hazard. A bull over ten months old is not allowed in a field crossed by a public right of way unless it is with cows or heifers and is not a dairy breed. Electric fences across a path need a safe gap, an insulated handle and warning signs. Permissive paths can be a useful alternative, but they must be clearly signed and can be closed with reasonable notice.
Reporting problems and walking well
If you find a path blocked, a stile broken or a sign missing, report it to the local highway authority—usually the county or unitary council. Note the grid reference, the date and what you found. Do not confront landowners or take matters into your own hands; most problems are resolved quietly once the right department knows.
Carry an OS map or a council definitive map extract, especially on unfamiliar paths. Respect temporary closures for shooting, forestry or work, and follow diversions. Share your route with someone at home, wear footwear that suits mud and stiles, and take litter away. A little preparation means you can enjoy the countryside while leaving it—and the people who work it—better off.
