Momentum building for Scottish-style land access rights in England, says film | Land rights

The Battle for the Horizon: Will England Ever Adopt a ‘Right to Roam’?

For millions of people in England, the beauty of the countryside is often viewed through a fence or restricted to a narrow public footpath. While the landscape looks open, the legal reality is far more restrictive. Currently, the public is allowed on just 8% of land, leaving a staggering 92% of the English countryside off-limits to the general public.

This disparity has sparked a resurgence in the right to roam movement, a campaign that seeks to dismantle the arbitrary barriers between the people and the nature they need for their physical and mental well-being. The momentum is no longer just a whisper among hikers; it is becoming a loud, organized demand for systemic change.

The Scottish Blueprint and the Nordic Ideal

Campaigners are not asking for something unprecedented. They are looking north. The 2003 Land Reform (Scotland) Act serves as a primary case study, establishing a legal right of responsible access to most land and inland water for walking, cycling, and camping.

Beyond the UK, the Nordic concept of Allemansrätten—the right of public access—in Sweden and Norway provides a timeless model. These laws operate on a simple premise: nature belongs to everyone, provided that the visitor acts responsibly.

“Everyone, whatever their age or ability, has access rights under [the] 2003 act but you only have rights if you exercise them responsibly.” John Grant, Scottish peer and landowner

The trend suggests that as urban density increases and the climate crisis intensifies, the demand for “nature prescriptions” will push the English government toward similar legislation. The focus is shifting from who owns the land to who can benefit from it.

From Courtrooms to Country Lanes: The Dartmoor Effect

Recent legal battles have acted as a catalyst for this movement. A pivotal moment occurred on Dartmoor in Devon, where a high court ruling initially allowed landowners to remove wild campers from a 1,600-hectare (4,000-acre) estate. The resulting public fury and subsequent legal action led the supreme court to overturn that decision.

This victory proved that the judiciary could be a tool for expanding access, even when the legislative process remains stalled. We are likely to see more “test cases” where activists challenge restrictive land-use policies to create new legal precedents.

This trend is mirrored in the rise of “mass trespass” events. Drawing inspiration from the 1932 Kinder Scout trespass, modern activists are using these actions to highlight the absurdity of being legally barred from mountains and meadows that are visible from the road.

The Friction Point: Landowner Concerns vs. Public Need

The path to a universal right to roam is not without conflict. Many landowners and farmers express genuine concerns about the practicalities of open access. Issues such as gates being left open, livestock being put at risk, and the destruction of crops are frequently cited.

Some landowners argue that the cost of making an estate safe for a public that may be completely ignorant of rural life is prohibitive. This creates a tension between the right to access and the right to manage land productively and safely.

Future Trends: Education and ‘Managed Access’

The future of land access in England likely lies in a compromise between total restriction and total openness. We can expect to see three primary trends emerge:

1. The Rise of Rural Literacy

As suggested by activists like Nadia Shaikh, there is a growing movement to invest in “rural education.” By teaching the public how to interact with working landscapes—such as how to handle livestock and respect crop cycles—the primary arguments against open access are neutralized.

2. Incremental Government Expansion

While the government has indicated it does not support a direct adoption of the Scottish model, it is expanding access through specific projects. This includes the 2,700-mile King Charles III England coast path and the creation of new national river walks. This “piece-meal” approach allows the state to increase access without triggering a full-scale legislative battle with the landed gentry.

3. Digital Mapping and Community-Led Access

The apply of technology is changing how people interact with the land. Community-led mapping projects and apps are making it easier for people to uncover “hidden” access points, effectively creating a grassroots right to roam before the law even catches up.

For more on how to navigate current access laws, see our guide on understanding public footpaths or explore the latest in conservation efforts across the UK.

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