The goal was to fund physical and digital infrastructure improvements which would help welcome more people to the countryside, at the same time as serving local communities and the grant recipients.
The physical and mental health benefits of being in nature cannot be underestimated. While there are many barriers to accessing nature throughout the UK, and this is no different in the Cotswolds, we are always actively working to improve access to nature throughout our National Landscape.
‘Access for All: Removing Barriers’ has been a three year programme (2022-2025) created by the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) to improve physical and digital infrastructure, making Protected Landscapes more accessible for people of all ages and abilities and from all socio-economic backgrounds.
Over the programme’s lifetime we have allocated £552,228 of capital funding to 49 projects. Each project helps to remove barriers that residents and visitors encounter when accessing and enjoying the Cotswolds.
Funding breakdown:
- Year one (2022-23) – £243,929 across 20 projects
- Year two (2023-24) – £53,908 across 4 projects
- Year three (2024-25) – £254,391 across 25 projects*
*All funds have been allocated for 2024-25 so we are no longer accepting applications.
Projects included:
Gloucestershire County Council, path improvement 2024
Public footpath improvements took place in September along a key connective route alongside a river between Lower and Upper Slaughter, which suffered from uneven terrain, swathes of mud and a section of deep flooding. The 400m path has now been resurfaced and a short boardwalk installed to make this spot usable year-round.
Jamie’s Farm, Hill House infrastructure 2022
Construction of outdoor activities hub used for day and residential visits aimed at supporting children and young people at risk of social and academic exclusion. The funding supported the building of three timber structures; an outdoor shelter, a composting toilet, and treehouse lookout.