Public Rights Of Way

Public rights of way are open to everyone at any time and give you the right to walk, ride a horse, or cycle along certain routes.

You can walk on all public rights of way. Some public rights of way are also open to horse riders, cyclists or motorists.

Types of public rights of way:

  • Footpaths – for walking, running, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
  • Bridleways – for walking, horse riding, bicycles, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
  • Restricted byways – for any transport without a motor and mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
  • Byways open to all traffic – for any kind of transport, including cars (but they’re mainly used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders)

How to tell different rights of way apart:

Public rights of way in England are marked with signs or coloured arrows:

  • Yellow arrow – footpath, a recorded right of way for walkers and mobility aid users.
  • Blue arrow – bridleway, a recorded right of way for walkers, mobility aid users, horse-riders and cyclists.
  • Purple arrow – restricted byway, a recorded right of way for walkers, mobility aid users, cyclists, horse-riders and horse-drawn vehicles only.
  • Red arrow – byway open to all traffic, a recorded right of way for all users including motorised vehicles.
  • Acorn symbol – National Trail, created for walking, with horse-riding and cycling possible on some trails. Users with limited mobility can visit the National Trail website to check trail suitability. This website also contains maps, trip planning tools and information on trail diversions.

You can also find information about public rights of way in the Countryside Code.

Landowner responsibilities

As the owner or occupier of land with a public right of way across it, you must

  • keep the route visible
  • not obstruct or endanger users.

More information can be found on Gov.uk.

Problems with public rights of way

If you experience a problem with a public right of way, contact the rights of way section of the highway authority through whose area the route passes.

Below are the local authorities covering Cotswolds National Landscape.

The Cotswold Way National Trail

The Cotswolds National Landscape team works with the Cotswold Way Association and the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens to provide ongoing maintenance of the Cotswold Way.

If you do come across a fallen tree or other hazard blocking the Cotswold Way, or overgrown sections, broken gates/stiles, or damaged/missing signs please do contact Becky Jones, our Access and Volunteers Lead, by emailing cotswoldway@cotswolds-nl.org.uk.