There are five parts to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW):
- Part 1 deals with right of access to the countryside, also known as the 'right to roam' or 'freedom to roam'
- Part 2 deals with public rights of way and road traffic
- Part 3 deals with nature conservation and wildlife protection
- Part 4 relates to areas of outstanding natural beauty
- Part 5 covers supplementary information, such as Local Access Forums, and town and village greens
For further information and advice about enjoying access to the countryside see:
- Natural England (GOV.UK)
- the Countryside Code (GOV.UK)
- information about Rights of way and accessing land (GOV.UK)
Open Access Land
Part 1 of the CROW Act deals with the public right to have access, on foot, to open country and registered common land in England and Wales.
The Act defines open country as:
- mountain
- moor
- heath
- down
York has no mountains or downland. Strensall Common has been identified as an area of open access land or heath. However, Strensall Common is subject to military byelaws and as such access is restricted.
Other large areas in York include Heslington Tillmire and Clifton Ings.
See information regarding outdoor access and recreation, access and rights of way, including information regarding public access to military areas, on GOV.UK.