Statutory guidance

The Countryside Code

Responsibilities for visitors to the countryside and those who manage the land.

• From: Natural England and Natural Resources Wales
• Published: 19 August 2014
• Last updated: 7 February 2022 — See all updates

Applies to England and Wales

• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Northern Ireland

Documents

The Countryside Code: advice for countryside visitors

HTML

Countryside Code summary

PDF, 168 KB, 2 pages

The Countryside Code: advice for land managers

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Details

Countryside visitors must check and follow national rules during the coronavirus pandemic before leaving home.

Rules for countryside visitors

The Countryside Code for visitors is your guide to visiting the countryside. It includes the rules you must follow when you’re enjoying parks and waterways, coast and countryside. It’s available to read online or download as a PDF leaflet.

You must follow the signs in the countryside that tell you where you can go and who can use the right of way.

Rules for land managers

The Countryside Code for land managers can help you to make it easier for visitors to follow the Countryside Code. It includes rules and guidance about public rights of way, protecting livestock and keeping visitors safe.

Read the code in other languages, access resources and get more information on the Countryside Code campaign site.

Enquiries

Telephone: 0300 060 3900

Email: enquiries@naturalengland.org.uk

Opening times: 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Find out about call charges at www.gov.uk/call-charges.

Published 19 August 2014
Last updated 7 February 2022 + show all updates

1. 7 February 2022

   Natural England and Natural Resources Wales have updated the Countryside Code advice for land managers. They have worked with a group of stakeholders to update the guidance.

2. 1 April 2021

   Natural England and Natural Resources Wales have updated the Countryside Code advice for countryside visitors. They have worked with a group of stakeholders to update the guidance. The messages in this code will be part of a campaign to make sure people can enjoy the outdoors responsibly. We will update the advice for land managers later in 2021. The current version is available on GOV.UK.

3. 2 July 2020

   Full version of the Countryside Code reinstated.

4. 5 June 2020

   We've published a revised version of the Countryside Code.

5. 4 October 2016

   New Countryside Code leaflet published.

6. 23 October 2014

   Added bookmark and details of how to obtain hard copies of both the leaflet and bookmark.

7. 19 August 2014

   First published.