Open Access Land

In certain areas of the countryside you are allowed freedom to roam off linear public rights of way and enjoy wider, informal recreation on foot only. Access land includes open country, registered commons and dedicated land.

Place to go:

• OS Explorer maps - Open Access areas are marked with an orange shading and the open access symbol (below) indicates entrances to the land on the ground. Buckinghamshire is covered by sheets 171, 172, 180, 181, 191 and 192.
• The leaflet 'Open Access in the Chilterns' - available from the Chilterns Conservation Board, outlines more information.
• Visit the interactive map on the MAGIC website. Access Land (excludes dedicated land) can be viewed under 'Rural designations statutory' section.
• Maps for some places are downloadable below.

Restriction over using Access Land

Many areas of open access are also sensitive wildlife sites with legal protection. It is therefore important to keep dogs on a lead between 1st March and 31st July (to protect ground nesting birds) and in fields with farm animals, especially sheep. For more information, visit the Dog Walking page on Natural England’s Countryside Access Website.

Some sites are restricted and have no public access on certain days for a variety of reasons, including land management, wildlife or for health & safety. To find out about day to day availability of open access land, visit Natural England’s Countryside Access website and check the interactive map on Open Access section.