Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000

[^key-6569b1e3a26c64568e382accb5ea8d2e]: Sch. 13 para. 8 repealed (1.4.2015) by Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2), s. 49(1), Sch. 1 Pt. 2; S.I. 2015/841, art. 3(a) (with arts. 5-8, Sch.) (as amended (27.6.2016) by S.I. 2016/675, art. 2)

[^key-4fb97fa6fa34c01d9749c8f2c18874ba]: S. 91(2) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(3)(l), Sch. 22 para. 15(1)

[^key-0fbaa00e33afcd857a5b2c7e3cb7eed8]: S. 90(1A) inserted (21.5.2016) by Environment (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 3), s. 88(2)(a), Sch. 2 para. 7

[^key-869a0c53bcd01b9b95cb302d323c02c5]: Words in s. 85(3) omitted (21.1.2021) by virtue of Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(1)(e), Sch. 9 para. 37

[^key-446257a8dfc5d80dd9af76902b14a722]: Word in Sch. 13 para. 4(3) substituted (20.3.2021) by Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (asc 1), s. 175(3)(f), Sch. 2 para. 10

[^key-56a90b83dbbc9886b62bd201be05b80d]: Words in s. 85(3) inserted (3.12.2021) by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Meaning of Public Body) (Wales) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 2021/1355), regs. 1(2), 2

[^key-9c83fb44004e4c33ec37b90fa9246e43]: S. 2 restricted (temp.) (3.8.2023) by The Hornsea Four Offshore Wind Farm Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/800), arts. 1, 11(2)(3), Sch. 4 Pt. 4 (with arts. 42, 43, Sch. 9)

[^key-c2303d5dfc4ee4dc2ff4a4fbb61c4baf]: Word in s. 90(1A)(a) omitted (17.10.2023) by virtue of Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 (asc 4), s. 56(3)(d), Sch. 2 para. 4(a)

[^key-34f2c4669ea9d1d6b273addb4336ee24]: S. 90(1A)(c) and word inserted (17.10.2023) by Agriculture (Wales) Act 2023 (asc 4), s. 56(3)(d), Sch. 2 para. 4(b)

[^key-ac38f716be60e48be43900331f37f85f]: S. 53 in force at 25.10.2023 for E. by S.I. 2023/1121, art. 2

[^key-6e6bed9ec608d58a3870635ec22b34ba]: S. 54 in force at 25.10.2023 for E. by S.I. 2023/1121, art. 2

[^key-709a7821e776a03e49fc68d5dd07e638]: S. 55 in force at 25.10.2023 for E. by S.I. 2023/1121, art. 2

[^key-201b3acf194e64a8d6133a4f0e425dc5]: S. 56 in force at 25.10.2023 for E. by S.I. 2023/1121, art. 2

[^key-ec510a0e90a45e07a4adc7c7bef98906]: Words in s. 56(1) substituted (E.) (17.11.2023) by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Substitution of Cut-off Date Relating to Rights of Way) (England) Regulations 2023 (S.I. 2023/1126), regs. 1(b), 2

[^key-9c797da43cb1d04dc6632f768b30ce30]: S. 9A inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 236(2), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-348990fbe2f8417d2e6b6038e2d054c5]: Word in s. 10 heading inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 236(3)(a), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-85c89f3a0657b35de8c556b6b3bc7751]: S. 90A inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(9), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-b3805f2d032ea996239a0153128a5c78]: S. 91A inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(10), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-9d63d3712ad803b32dc9fb5b2eddbd9a]: S. 10(2)(a)(b) substituted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 236(3)(c), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-8da747b2b0456a2ddb55196916f59418]: Words in s. 10(1) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 236(3)(b), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-29b3b5a10f5639224ea388ac658a2cb4]: S. 11(3A) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 236(4)(b), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-41ed27b14dbf1fd2ef9217b5b2244a86]: S. 11(2)(ja) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 236(4)(a), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-6e17f26b5fe4a07b00e5a82f704bb2fb]: S. 85(A1)(A2) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(6)(a), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-4c30c982dd1d18f3f70ffcee91aec83d]: S. 85(1A) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(6)(c), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-3e89d35e8f2af688421c99466f8b33f9]: Words in s. 85(3) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(6)(d), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-6347bd88da659d3d8e9250868a7cdad6]: Words in s. 85(1) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(6)(b), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-397838ab86720a2772410538c36890f1]: S. 87(A1) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(7)(a), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-33bca5a232b956e710000c6db263dad9]: Words in s. 87(2) substituted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(7)(c), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-3bbbd331e83c5c68b91bb9d898e4b24d]: Words in s. 87(1) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(7)(b), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-15dd0c7b9ac16bd5d42e66c284caf708]: S. 90(2A) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), ss. 245(8), 255(9)(b) (with s. 247)

[^key-c88277593f5d8384b543644550250934]: S. 2 restricted (temp.) (11.3.2024) by The Net Zero Teesside Order 2024 (S.I. 2024/174), arts. 1, 13(9)(10), Sch. 6 Pt. 3 Table 6 (with arts. 42, 43, Sch. 12)

[^key-ec5f48c9a6e4b77a3617e71e4520ed0d]: Words in s. 85(3) substituted (1.10.2024) by The Energy Act 2023 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/706), regs. 1(1), 15; S.I. 2024/957, reg. 2(a)

[^key-5767eb71102ddacb61e617d18e20c78c]: S. 15(1)(e) and word inserted (4.11.2024) by Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 (asc 3), s. 212(2), Sch. 13 para. 179 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1-3); S.I. 2024/860, art. 3(d)

[^key-b5aac8be8b68227a20bf6f3a1fed2dfd]: Words in s. 26(3)(b)(i) inserted (4.11.2024) by Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2023 (asc 3), s. 212(2), Sch. 13 para. 180 (with Sch. 14 paras. 1-3); S.I. 2024/860, art. 3(d)

[^key-15670976af9725faa35bef7447113432]: Words in Sch. 1 para. 15(1) omitted (1.5.2025) by virtue of The Town and Country Planning (Fees and Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/418), regs. 1(3), 14

[^key-31b58be404895dc7e24e09236ebcbd4e]: Word in s. 53 heading inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(2)(c)

[^key-b1211ed855c0b85b116538a25c8eb2f1]: Word in s. 54 heading inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(3)(c)

[^key-90ebcbc2206e3530bcb177674bc91211]: Word in s. 55 heading inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(4)(b)

[^key-69aa6ecc619e98815a064c393b56a2c0]: Word in s. 56 heading inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(5)(b)

[^key-64dfb0f02fe75920af9cee640d0e186a]: Words in s. 53(1) inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(2)(a)

[^key-8dd2d0aeb51927fa5b4e810be74ceb77]: Words in s. 53(3) inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(2)(b)

[^key-652321c1c9204be764bfd792988a46a5]: Words in s. 54(1)(d) substituted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(3)(a)

[^key-5b741f0e0755643fa9a03fdefe7484bb]: Words in s. 54(5)(c) substituted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(3)(b)

[^key-979e6f8d243263064b874f54b22b4358]: Words in s. 55(1) inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(4)(a)

[^key-83f2da4667b04df16f139491536a3388]: Words in s. 56(2) omitted (W.) (10.9.2025) by virtue of Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(5)(a)(i)

[^key-c6a6832fba8b82818f8f301e45037d52]: Words in s. 56(2)(b) omitted (W.) (10.9.2025) by virtue of Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 54(5)(a)(ii)

[^key-7efbbb3fc8b3ef0fc8475ebf66bbfcd5]: Words in Sch. 5 para. 4 inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 55(a)

[^key-35d96032f7516b2577379b30f3e9174e]: Word in Sch. 5 para. 4 heading inserted (W.) (10.9.2025) by Legislation (Procedure, Publication and Repeals) (Wales) Act 2025 (asc 3), s. 9(2)(d), Sch. 1 para. 55(b)

[^key-d661bbab48f2465f80b3e5d24dcf2dd1]: Word in s. 10(2)(b) substituted (W.) (6.3.2026) by The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (Review of Maps) (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (W.S.I. 2026/27), regs. 1(2), 2

Rights of public in relation to access land.

Duty to prepare maps.

Redesignation of roads used as public paths.

Directions by relevant authority: general.

Vehicular access across common land etc.

Minor amendments.

Ramsar sites.

Payments under agreements under s.16 of 1949 Act or s.15 of 1968 Act.

Functions of certain bodies in relation to areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Isles of Scilly.

Functions of certain bodies in relation to areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Establishment of conservation boards.

Functions of certain bodies in relation to areas of outstanding natural beauty.

General duty of public bodies etc.

Grants to conservation boards.

Repeals.

Isles of Scilly.

Repeals.

3A

• (1) The Secretary of State may by order specify the descriptions of land in England which are coastal margin for the purposes of this Part.

• (2) An order under subsection (1) may, in particular—

• (a) describe land by reference to it being—

• (i) land over which the line taken by the English coastal route passes,

• (ii) land which is adjacent to and within a specified distance of that line, or

• (iii) land which is adjacent to land within sub-paragraph (ii),

if the land described under paragraphs (i) to (iii), taken as a whole, is coastal land;

• (b) in relation to cases where a proposal of the kind mentioned in section 55B of the 1949 Act (power to determine the route in accordance with provision made in the report) is contained in relevant approved proposals, describe land by reference to the line taken by the English coastal route as it has effect from time to time in accordance with that proposal;

• (c) in relation to cases where a proposal of the kind mentioned in section 55C of that Act (alternative routes) is contained in relevant approved proposals, describe land by reference to it being—

• (i) land over which the line taken by an official alternative route which is for the time being in operation passes, or

• (ii) land which is adjacent to and within a specified distance of that line,

whether or not it is coastal land;

• (d) in relation to cases where a proposal of the kind mentioned in section 55D(2)(a) or (b) of that Act (proposal that boundary should coincide with a physical feature) is contained in relevant approved proposals, provide that the boundary of an area of coastal margin is to coincide with a physical feature as provided for in that proposal (and for this purpose it is immaterial if the effect is to include other land as coastal margin or to exclude part of an area of coastal land);

• (e) in relation to cases where a direction under subsection (3) of section 55I of that Act (temporary diversions) specifies a route which (or any part of which) passes over land within subsection (4)(d) of that section, describe land by reference to it being—

• (i) land over which the line taken by that route (so far as it passes over land within subsection (4)(d) of that section) passes, or

• (ii) land which is adjacent to and within a specified distance of that line (so far as it so passes),

whether or not it is coastal land.

• (3) For the purposes of subsection (2) it is immaterial whether the English coastal route is in existence at the time the order is made.

• (4) An order under subsection (1) may modify the provisions of this Part in their application to land which is coastal margin.

• (5) Provision made by virtue of subsection (4) may, in particular—

• (a) confer functions on the Secretary of State or Natural England;

• (b) if providing for any description of land which is coastal margin to be excluded from any description of excepted land—

• (i) describe that land as mentioned in subsection (2)(a)(i) to (iii), (b) or (c), or

• (ii) in relation to cases where a proposal of the kind mentioned in section 55D(2)(c) of the 1949 Act (proposal that boundary should coincide with a physical feature) is contained in relevant approved proposals, provide that the boundary of that land (or any part of it) is to coincide with a physical feature as provided for in that proposal.

• (6) Where, as a result of proposals becoming approved proposals relating to a long-distance route, land becomes coastal margin by virtue of an order under subsection (1)—

• (a) section 2(1) does not apply in relation to the land by reason of it being coastal margin until the end of the access preparation period in relation to the land,

• (b) any direction given under Chapter 2 in relation to the land may be expressed to take effect immediately after the end of that period, and

• (c) until the end of that period, the land is not to be regarded as coastal margin—

• (i) for the purpose of determining whether it is open country or registered common land, or

• (ii) for the purposes of section 1(6AA) of the Occupiers' Liability Act 1984 (duty of occupier of coastal margin to persons other than the occupier's visitors).

• (7) Where, as a result of proposals becoming approved proposals relating to a long-distance route, land becomes coastal margin by virtue of an order under subsection (1), any exclusion or restriction under Chapter 2 of access to the land by virtue of section 2(1) ceases to have effect at the end of the access preparation period.

• (8) Subsection (7) does not apply to any exclusion or restriction resulting from a direction under Chapter 2 which takes effect after the end of the access preparation period.

• (9) Subsections (6) and (7) do not apply to land if, at the time it becomes coastal margin by virtue of an order under subsection (1), it is already dedicated as coastal margin under section 16.

• (10) In this section—

• “the 1949 Act” means the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949;

• “access preparation period”, in relation to any land, means the period which—begins when the land becomes coastal margin, andends with the day appointed by the Secretary of State by order under this subsection in relation to that land;

• “approved proposals relating to a long-distance route” is to be construed in accordance with sections 52(3) and 55(4) of the 1949 Act;

• “coastal land” has the same meaning as in section 3;

• “the English coastal route” means the route secured (or to be secured) pursuant to the coastal access duty (within the meaning of section 296 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009);

• “modify” includes amend, add to or repeal;

• “official alternative route” has the meaning given by section 55J of the 1949 Act;

• “relevant approved proposals” means approved proposals relating to a long-distance route which is or forms part of the English coastal route;

• “specified” means specified in an order under subsection (1);

and references to the exclusion or restriction under Chapter 2 of access to any land by virtue of section 2(1) are to be interpreted in accordance with section 21(2) and (3).

Prohibition on driving mechanically propelled vehicles elsewhere than on roads.

Making of traffic regulation orders for purposes of conserving natural beauty, etc.

Minor amendments.

Minor amendments.

Powers of entry.

Enforcement of wildlife legislation.

Procedure for designation orders.

Isles of Scilly.

Expenses.

25A

• (1) The relevant authority may by direction exclude or restrict access to any land which is coastal margin consisting of salt marsh or flat if the authority are satisfied that the exclusion or restriction under this section of access to the land to the extent provided by the direction is necessary because the land, or any part of the land, is unsuitable for public access.

• (2) A direction under subsection (1) may be expressed to have effect—

• (a) during a period specified in the direction,

• (b) during a specified period in every calendar year,

• (c) during a period which is to be determined by the relevant authority in accordance with the direction,

• (d) during a period which is to be determined by a specified person in accordance with the direction and, where the direction so requires, notified to the relevant authority by the specified person in accordance with the direction, or

• (e) indefinitely.

• (3) In this section a reference to “access” to land means access by virtue of section 2(1).

13A

Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part of, a regulated caravan or camping site (other than land which is, or forms part of, a coastal route strip).

13B

Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part of, a highway (within the meaning of the Highways Act 1980).

13C

Land which is coastal margin and is, or forms part of, a burial ground (other than land which is, or forms part of, a coastal route strip).

13D

Land which is coastal margin and—

• (a) is or forms part of a school playing field, or

• (b) is land otherwise occupied by a school and used for the purposes of that school.

14A

In paragraph 5, the reference to the getting of minerals by surface working does not include the removal by any person of sand or shingle from an area of foreshore or beach which is coastal margin, in pursuance of a right which is enjoyed by the person under any grant or reservation, local or personal Act, Royal charter or letters patent or by prescription.

6A

• (1) Whatever the time of year, section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be on any land which is coastal margin at any time if—

• (a) that person has taken onto the land, or allowed to enter or remain on the land, any dog, and

• (b) at that time, the dog is not under the effective control of that person or another person.

• (2) For this purpose a dog is under the effective control of a person if the following conditions are met.

• (3) The first condition is that—

• (a) the dog is on a lead, or

• (b) the dog is within sight of the person and the person remains aware of the dog’s actions and has reason to be confident that the dog will return to the person reliably and promptly on the person’s command.

• (4) The second condition is that the dog remains—

• (a) on access land, or

• (b) on other land to which that person has a right of access.

• (5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4), a dog which is in tidal waters is to be regarded as remaining on access land.

6B

• (1) Section 2(1) does not entitle a person to be on any land which is coastal margin if, on that land, the person obstructs any person passing, or attempting to pass, on foot along any part of the English coastal route, any official alternative route or any relevant temporary route.

• (2) In this paragraph—

• “the English coastal route” means the route secured pursuant to the coastal access duty (within the meaning of section 296 of the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009);

• “official alternative route” has the meaning given by section 55J of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949;

• “relevant temporary route” means a route for the time being having effect by virtue of a direction under section 55I of that Act to the extent that the line of the route passes over coastal margin.

Making of traffic regulation orders for purposes of conserving natural beauty, etc.

Reports on functions relating to rights of way.

Consequential amendments, transitional provisions and savings relating to s. 75.

General duty of public bodies etc.

Repeals.

Expenses.

9A

• (1) This section applies where a map has been issued in conclusive form for the purposes of this Part in respect of any area in England.

• (2) Natural England must before 1 January 2031, to the extent that they consider appropriate, carry out a review of whether—

• (a) any land shown on that map as open country or registered common land is open country or registered common land at the time of the review, and

• (b) any land in that area which is not so shown ought to be so shown.

• (3) Regulations may require Natural England to carry out subsequent reviews, in respect of such matters and in respect of such circumstances as may be prescribed.

90A

• (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision—

• (a) requiring a relevant authority other than a devolved Welsh authority to contribute to the preparation, implementation or review of a plan under section 89 relating to an area of outstanding natural beauty in England;

• (b) setting out how such a relevant authority may or must do so.

• (2) In this section—

• “devolved Welsh authority” has the same meaning as in the Government of Wales Act 2006 (see, in particular, section 157A of that Act);

• “relevant authority” has the same meaning as in section 85.

91A

• (1) A power to make regulations under this Part—

• (a) is exercisable by statutory instrument;

• (b) includes power to make different provision for different purposes or different areas;

• (c) includes power to make consequential, incidental, supplementary, transitional, transitory or saving provision.

• (2) Regulations under this Part are to be made by statutory instrument.

• (3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this Part is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.