Of Footpaths and Rambles

I’m not a fitness guru by any stretch of the imagination, but I thought I’d write this from the perspective of someone who doesn’t always work out as much as they should, but who loves the outdoors!

When I lived in the U.K., I spent a lot of time on public footpaths.  This wonderful British invention means that there are usually miles of walking trails near almost every home (without having to drive!).  If you want a long, leisurely walk, all you have to do is suit up and walk out your front door.  Even cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester offer city “rambles”.

So, what *are* these public footpaths of which I speak?  How do you find them? Are there rules for walkers?  Are there groups that can help me get more involved?

What are public footpaths?

There are over 140,000 miles of public footpaths in England and Wales.  A public footpath is a trail across public and private land.  It can extend for miles along ancient routes with packhorse bridges and historic sites.  In the UK, a public footpath is an area that is set aside for walkers and guaranteed by a law called the “public right of way”.

Are There any Rules for Walkers?

According to Wikepedia, “public rights of way are paths on which the public have a legally protected right to pass and re-pass.”  This right comes with some stipulations though.  These stipulations are called the Country Code/Countryside Code/The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (I’ll just use “Country Code” in this article).

The Country code deals with laws around which people can use the public footpaths.  Typically, the code includes these major areas of consideration:

• Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
• Keep dogs under close control
• Consider other people

And in Scotland:

• Take responsibility for your own actions
• Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind
• Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and effectively
• Care for the environment
• Keep your dog under proper control
• Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business
• If your dog is off-leash and chasing livestock, a farmer is within his rights to shoot the dog and the owner could be taken to court.

As for cyclists, the “Been there – Done that, Unofficial Guide to Great Britain” states:

“…it is legal to cycle on a bridleway and although it is not illegal to cycle on a footpath only pedestrians have a right of way so that in riding a bicycle on a public footpath you would be committing trespass and the landowner could bring a case under civil law against you if he so chose. Cyclists on bridleways must give way to horse riders and pedestrians.”

Walks and Walking Groups

For the more adventurous walkers, there are numerous long-distance hikes like the Cumbrian Way, the Coastal Way, and Hadrian’s Wall Path.  You can find information at the long distance walker’s association: https://www.ldwa.org.uk/

If you’re coming from overseas and are afraid of getting lost on the trails, there are numerous ramblers’s groups across the country.  Just locate one nearest your destination and ask if you can join a walk.  Visit http://www.ramblers.org.uk/ for more information.

Alternatively (and more expensively), there are tour guides that will charge you for local hiking tours.  One that I’m especially keen to look in on is Walking Women. 

Summary

Though there are general (and very sensible) guidelines, it shouldn’t put you off using these public footpaths at every opportunity!  There is a great set of videos by “thetaxidriverj” of some public footpath walks on YouTube if you’re interested.


My fondest memories are of taking my collie dog, Sheba, to the local footpath and letting her swim in the stream along the way.  If you went through the soccer field, there was a hedgerow and beyond that, the most lovely view of Ripon Cathedral in the distance. 

I hope you’ll make your own memories by using the public footpaths while you’re in the UK.