Know what you are walking on

One of the great pleasures of walking in the British countryside is that so much of it is legally open to us. But the paths you follow are not all the same, and knowing what you are on makes for a much more relaxed day out. In England and Wales, the legal record of public rights of way is the definitive map, held by your local highway authority.

• Public footpath — walking only. You may not cycle or ride a horse on one.
• Public bridleway — walking, horse riding and cycling.
• Restricted byway — walking, riding, cycling and horse-drawn vehicles.
• Byway open to all traffic — as above, plus motor vehicles, though most are unsurfaced and rarely suitable for them.
• Permissive path — access granted by the landowner, usually for a set period and sometimes closed on particular days.

Waymarking is your quickest guide: yellow arrows generally mark footpaths, blue bridleways, purple restricted byways and red byways. A good paper map is still the most reliable companion in areas where phone signal vanishes without warning.

Open access land and the right to roam

Beyond paths, the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 gives a right of access on foot to mapped open country in England and Wales — mountain, moor, heath, down and registered common land. Here you may wander where you like, away from any path. There are sensible limits: access can be closed for up to 28 days a year, and some areas carry local restrictions for conservation, shooting or fire risk.

Dogs are welcome on open access land but must be kept on a lead of no more than two metres between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near livestock or where a ground-nesting bird sign asks it. Scotland takes a broader approach under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, with a statutory right of responsible access over most land and inland water — but the responsibilities are just as real. In Northern Ireland, rights of way are more limited, so check the local position before you set out.

Gates, stiles and small courtesies

The oldest rule in the countryside is also the simplest: leave gates as you find them. A closed gate should be closed behind you; an open gate should be left open, because livestock may be being moved through it. If a gate is tied shut, use the stile instead rather than untying it.

Stick to stiles, gaps and gateways rather than climbing walls or squeezing through hedges, and cross in single file where the ground is narrow. If you find a stile broken, a waymark missing or a path blocked, a quick report to the local highway authority helps every walker who follows you. Never leave a gate wedged, and keep gateways and field entrances clear — they are a farmer's working access and, in an emergency, a lifeline.

Livestock, crops and dogs

Cattle with calves are the classic worry. Give them a wide berth, do not walk between a cow and her calf, and if you feel threatened, let your dog off the lead so it can run clear — then move away calmly without turning your back. Sheep, especially in lambing season, should be given plenty of space, and a loose dog around livestock is a serious matter for the farmer and distressing for everyone.

Where a footpath crosses a growing crop, walk in single file along the field margin or the line of the path, and avoid trampling the crop itself. Farmers must reinstate paths within set timescales after ploughing, but a little goodwill on both sides goes a long way. Keep dogs under close control at all times, and near livestock, always on a lead.

Litter, parking and sharing the way

Take everything home with you, including fruit peel, which can harm livestock, and dog waste bags, which are litter whatever the intention behind them. If you cannot find a bin, carry it. There is nothing more disheartening than a beauty spot decorated with other people's picnics.

• Park so that gates, field entrances and passing places stay clear — emergency vehicles and farm machinery need them.
• On single-track lanes, use proper laybys rather than verges that are soft, protected or private.
• Pass horses wide and slow, and speak to the rider before you come alongside.
• Give way cheerfully to other walkers, cyclists and families; a nod and a good morning cost nothing.

Planning a good day out

Check the weather, tell someone your route and rough return time, and carry a map, water and a waterproof even on a short walk. Wear footwear with proper grip — wet chalk, clay and granite are all unforgiving. On coastal paths, check tide times before descending to a beach, and remember that mobile coverage in valleys and on moorland is patchy at best.

Access in the British countryside is a generous arrangement, sustained by millions of small acts of care. Walk kindly, close the gate, take the litter home, and the paths will stay open for the next person along — which, on a fine morning, is all any of us really wants.