The Modern Fight — Right to Roam
Why We’re Still Campaigning
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.
Our 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.
- Learn more about the nationwide movement: Visit the official Right to Roam Campaign Website.
- Deep Dive: Read our dedicated booklet on how our small village has spearheaded this cause for over 130 years by checking out the Hayfield and the Right to Roam Booklet.
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.
HKTG is a proud supporter of the Outdoors for All coalition—an unprecedented alliance of over 40 national governing bodies, environmental charities, and outdoor organisations (including the Ramblers, British Canoeing, and the National Trust). Together, we have presented a unified manifesto to Parliament calling for structural, system-wide access reform.
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.
