New Code: New Countryside Code for landowners in England and Wales to help protect them, their land and livestock, and the environment

The overriding objectives of the statutory guidance ‘The Countryside Code: advice for countryside visitors’ are to enable visitors to enjoy the outdoors while respecting everyone and protecting both wild flora and fauna and working environments such as farms.

The Code includes recommendations relating to:

• driving, parking, walking and/or cycling on country roads, pathways and public areas, and at the seaside;
• obeying signage;
• knowing when to shut gates or leave them open;
• behaving properly in relation to farm animals, horses and wildlife;
• control of pets;
• barbecues, fires and litter, including dog faeces.

The Code also advises visitors how to plan trips to the country or seaside, including planning for tides and/or bad weather.

Landlords are recommended to make sure areas the public are entitled to visit are clearly signposted (to reduce the risk of inadvertent trespassing), easily accessible and kept tidy. The Code suggests they may wish to provide information generally, and in relation to specific land management activities they are undertaking. There are also recommendations about safety risks such as chemicals, electric fences and ‘volatile’ livestock.

Operative date

• Now

Recommendation

• Landlords can check out the new Countryside Code on the GOV.UK website.