North York Moors National Park
 

Discover The Place

Open Access

 

What is Open Access?

The Countryside and Rights of Way (or CRoW) Act was passed in 2000 and came into effect in the North York Moors in May 2005. 

It gives right of access for walkers for open-air recreation on ‘access land’. This is known as ‘open access’ - where there is right to use a whole area of access land, rather than just along linear rights of way.  Sometimes this is known as the ‘right to roam’ but this can be a misleading description because it is by no means a completely free licence to roam everywhere.    

What Is Open Access Land?

All access land has been officially designated and mapped.  It is made up of ‘open country’ (mountain, moorland, heath and down) and registered common land. The Forestry Commission has also voluntarily dedicated some of its woods for open access.

How Do I Recognise Open Access Land?

On Ordnance Survey Explorer maps produced since 2005, access land is shown in a yellow colourwash.  Up to date maps are on sale at National Park Centres (The Moors Centre in Danby and Sutton Bank), and at Village Information Points. You can also buy them at our online shop.

Open Access Symbol 

 Also look out for this sign on some areas of open access land. 

 

 

Can I Walk Anywhere On Access Land?

No.  Some places are excluded from access rights even though they may be depicted as access land on maps.   These places include buildings, private gardens, land within 20 metres of a dwelling, active quarries, golf courses, airfields, railways, military land, land in operational use by statutory undertakers/telecommunications systems, land which has been ploughed or recently planted with trees.

What Can I Do On Open Access Land?

  • All recreation on foot - including walking, picnicking, bird-watching, climbing and running. 
  • You are not allowed to cycle or ride a horse except on existing bridleways or where this has been allowed traditionally. 
  • Vehicles and motorbikes are not allowed on open access land except on byways or other vehicular rights of way.
  • There are also a number of activities which are not allowed - such as camping, swimming, lighting fires, metal detecting, fishing, hunting, hang-gliding, organised games, and commercial activities.

Can I Take A Dog On Open Access Land?

  • On most of the grouse moors in the National Park landowners have used their right to ban dogs.  On these moors you can only take dogs on existing rights of way (and you should keep them on a short lead to ensure that they do not leave the exact line of the path).   
  • There are some areas of open access land where no dog ban is in place.  In these areas by law you must keep your dog on a short lead between 1st March and 31st July (i.e. the main bird breeding season).  It is best if you keep your dog on a lead or to heel for the remaining part of the year on moorland to protect sensitive wildlife. 

Restrictions On Open Access Land

Access land may sometimes be closed or partially restricted.  However none of these restrictions affect rights of way over the land.

  • All moorland open access land is closed at times of exceptional fire risk. 
  • Landowners and tenants have the right to close the land for any reason for up to 28 days per year.   In the North York Moors these closures have mostly been used on grouse moors in late May to the end of June - during the period when grouse chicks have hatched and are particularly vulnerable to disturbance.
  • Open access in forestry areas may be closed during felling operations or sports events.
  • Other restrictions can be put in place for land management, public safety, nature and heritage conservation and for defence/national security.

You can search on the Natural England website to check if there are any access restrictions on an area you plan to visit http://www.openaccess.naturalengland.org.uk/wps/portal/oasys/maps/MapSearch

You can find lots of background information on open access rights on the Natural England Website http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/places/openaccess

Safety On Open Access Land

You are responsible for your own safety on open access land.  Remember that on moorland the terrain may be difficult and the weather may change quickly.  Always make sure you are properly prepared and equipped.

Heather moorland is a good habitat for wildlife, including adders. 

Moorland and bracken areas also harbour ticks which may carry an infection called Lyme Disease.  We advise you wear long sleeved shirts, tuck your trousers into your socks and check for the presence of any ticks at the end of your walk.