The Countryside Code is a set of guidelines designed for use by both the public and land managers acrossEngland andWales. It is titled as a guide for enjoying parks and waterways, coast and countryside. It was established in 2004 as a relaunch ofThe Country Code, which existed since the 1930s.
The Countryside Code is managed byNatural England in England andNatural Resources Wales in Wales. Whilst both organisations oversee the Countryside Code, they are each individually responsible for promoting it in their respective country.
The Country Code evolved from the work of various organisations and had several different versions from the 1930s. The most widely accepted version of The Country Code was published in 1981 by theCountryside Commission:[1]
In the 1960s and 70s the Country Code was publicised by severalpublic information films shown in cinemas and on television.[2]
At some point after 1981, the instruction to fasten all gates was replaced with one to insteadleave gates as found.[3]
In 2004 The Country Code was revised and relaunched asThe Countryside Code (Côd Cefn Gwlad in Welsh) to reflect the introduction of new open access rights and changes in society over the preceding years. The revised Code was produced through a partnership between theCountryside Agency and theCountryside Council for Wales
A new, refreshed Countryside Code was launched byNatural England andNatural Resources Wales, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the creation of the founding booklet.[1]Key changes to the Countryside Code included:
In May 2023,Natural England andAardman Animations launched a new campaign for the Countryside Code, alongsideShaun the Sheep. The aim of the campaign was to engage young people and children with the messages of the Countryside Code.[2]
In Scotland, where there is a more general right of access,Scottish Natural Heritage developedThe Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which was approved in draft form by theScottish Parliament in July 2003 following the passing of theLand Reform (Scotland) Act of the same year, and was accepted in February 2005. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code differs significantly from The Country Code in that it promotes access rights that include crossing over land and non-motorised recreational activities like walking, cycling, angling and horse riding, and will normally apply in all rural settings. The basis of access rights over land (in Scotland) is of shared responsibilities, in that those exercising such rights have to act responsibly, following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, while land owners/managers have a reciprocal responsibility in respecting the interests of those who exercise their rights.[4]
The Scottish code "is based on three key principles [which] apply equally to the public and to land managers":[5]
Three additional principles apply to visitors:[6]
Both the Countryside Code and the Scottish code provide guidance for land managers as well as visitors.
