Natural England - Rights of way
Rights of way
Rights of way provide many opportunities to enjoy the natural environment. They can be wide tracks or narrow trails, and they can run through towns or across remote countryside.
All rights of way are legally highways and anyone may use them at any time. However, there are different types. You can walk on all of them, but some have extra rights to ride a horse, cycle or drive a vehicle.
Where can I find information on rights of way?
This page will give you basic information about the types of rights of way. But for more detailed information on where to find them look at Ordnance Survey maps, or in guide books, on information boards, and on the routes themselves, in the form of waymarks.
If you have a problem using a right of way, for example if it is blocked, you should contact the rights of way section of the local authority through which the route passes.
What is Natural England's role?
We constantly review the opportunities to enjoy the natural environment, including rights of way.
Our reports include:
Rights of Way Improvement Plans National Evaluation
LTP and ROWIP Integration: good practice note
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England has about 190,000 km (118,000 miles) of public rights of way, providing many opportunities to enjoy the natural environment.
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What is the legal status of public rights of way?
Public rights of way (PRoW) are highways that allow the public a legal right of passage.
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Stakeholder Working Group on Rights of Way
Natural England has formed this Working Group to bring together representatives of the key relevant national interests to consider ways of improving access through public rights of way.
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Who is responsible for public rights of way?
The responsibility for recording and maintaining rights of way is shared between local authorities, landowners and occupiers.
Select a region
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