Why We’re Still Campaigning

The Vision — Outdoors for All

A Natural Health Service, Free and Open to Everyone

Access to nature shouldn’t be a privilege for the wealthy or those living in rural hubs. It is a fundamental right tied directly to public health, mental well-being, and social equity.

We believe that meaningful change happens by building bridges across the entire political spectrum. In March 2024, HKTG stood proudly as one of the founding members of the Outdoors for All Coalition.

  • The Westminster Launch: The coalition was officially introduced at a prestigious cross-party initiative inside Parliament, hosted jointly by Kim Leadbeater MP (Labour) and a Conservative MP. It was attended by cross-party MPs, Shadow Ministers, and peers from the House of Lords.
  • Mainstream Support: Proving that the fight for nature access transcends narrow political ideologies, the keynote address was delivered by Steve Barclay, who was serving at the time as the Conservative Government’s Secretary of State for the Environment.
  • 52 Major National Organisations: This immense umbrella network now represents millions of people across 52 major national entities. Alongside HKTG, members include the British Mountaineering Council (BMC), Right to Roam, the Ramblers Association, the Open Spaces Society, the Outdoor Swimming Society, Swim England, Paddle UK, national cycling organizations, the British Horse Society, the National Trust, and Moors for the Future.

What the Outdoors for All Manifesto Demands:

  • The 15-Minute Target: A legally binding commitment ensuring everyone lives within a 15-minute walk of an accessible green or blue (water) space.
  • Expanded Landscape Rights: Extending legal access beyond remote mountain peaks to include local woodlands, waterways, riversides, and downlands.
  • Inclusivity for All Users: Opening up landscapes for walking, wheeling, cycling, horse riding, swimming, and paddling alike.
  • Outdoor Education: Embedding core outdoor life navigation and self-sufficiency skills into the early school curriculum.
  • Read the full vision: Dive into the details on the Outdoors Swimming Society’s Outdoors for All Hub or check out the official policy actions via the BMC Outdoors for All Manifesto Overview.

The Modern Fight — Right to Roam

Did you know that the public has a legal Right to Roam across only 8% of England? The vast majority of our countryside remains locked behind “Private Property” signs. Even where we do have access, it is heavily restricted—excluding paddlers, swimmers, cyclists, and campers.

HKTG is actively working alongside the national Right to Roam campaign to change the law. We are demanding a new Right to Roam Act for England and Wales to create a universal, legal right to responsibly connect with the natural world.

The Goal: To shift the legal balance away from landowners giving “permission” and move toward an open, legal right to wander, wild camp, and explore responsibly.