The Countryside Code
It’s always best to stick to the Code, in this case the Countryside Code, not least because failing to do so could mean your assessed expedition will become a training exercise. Most of what the Code says is really common sense.
First a summary of what it says:
Respect other people
* Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
* Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available
Protect the natural environment
* Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home
* Keep dogs under effective control
Enjoy the outdoors
* Plan ahead and be prepared
* Follow advice and local signs
Sounds easy enough: Respect, Protect and Enjoy
So what does all this look like in reality?
Respect other people
It is important to remember that for many people the Countryside is a place of work and a home. Farms are not places that provide cute sheep for passing tourists to fawn over and farmers do not put cows in fields because they like big pets. The livelihood of many people depends on these animals. It is a wonderful thing that we can use footpaths through fields but we must protect the animals we pass.
Stick to the path, unless you have to deviate to avoid a crop or to save upsetting some cows (though if you move slowly they will usually get out of your way). Don’t make excessive noise around animals – including shouting and screaming. If you encounter cows then walk slowly through them or, if you can, give them a wide birth. Cows are naturally inquisitive and are likely to follow you – young cows sometimes like to leap a bit to try and get your attention. This is all quite normal, even if it makes you feel a little nervous. Cows with calves may get protective of their children so give them plenty of room and don’t scare them. If you do have a dog with you and the cows start running towards you let the dog go – it will outrun the cows and the cows will only be interested in the dog.
Gates can be tricky things and should be left as you find them. However, if in doubt it is best to close them behind you. A farmer is going to be less hassled by having to re-open a gate than having to chase sheep off a road. The first person through needs to tell the last person through whether the gate was open or closed – a good habit to get in to is if you open the gate you wait for the rest to pass through and then close it (this also means that you will know how the gate works – not always easy to work out).
If you pass through a village or group of houses be polite and friendly and don’t make excessive noise. Some paths go very close to people’s homes respect their home as you would expect others to respect yours.
If you come across someone who thinks you are on the wrong path and don’t have right of way don’t be abusive or impolite (if you are in a school group, or doing the DofE Award, or Ten Tors, etc. you are also representing that scheme or organisation – don’t let them down). It is best to apologise and ask for help to get on the path they think you should be on – even if they are wrong! Be prepared to show them a map to help (another reason it is best to know where you are at all times). Being aggressive will only aggravate the situation and cause you more trouble.
Walk on roads in single file facing oncoming traffic. Be polite and step out of the way of vehicles if possible and safe to do so. You may have right of way but in a confrontation with a car a pedestrian always loses. It is common practice (although not a legal requirement as far as I know) for groups to use highviz jackets – one at the front and another at the back of the group.
All of this being polite stuff also applies to camp sites. Remember that other people use camp sites and so do not make lots of noise or hang around the toilet block. Sadly (and for no good reason in my view) people find groups of young people intimidating, it is not your fault but it does mean you have to be careful not to make other camp site users uncomfortable. If you are polite and courteous people will love you for it.
Protect the natural environment
The trick here is to leave no trace behind. If you bought it with you (including fruit skins and cores – which can take months, if not years, to decompose) you should take it away. Also, do not leave piles of uneaten pasta, etc. behind because it looks unsightly (you can bury it if needed because it will decompose quickly, or use the bins on a campsite). You should aim to leave a place as though you were never there.
Dogs should be on a short lead most of the time (that is what effective control in the code means in practice) especially around animals and other people. Dogs run faster than people and sometimes get over excited around other animals. Sheep get worried by the presence of a dog and it is not fare, especially to young animals or new mothers, to put them under undue stress. Never leave a dog to run around when you are in your car.
Although I’m blushing as I write this I must also mention the problem of poo. If you have to do a number 2 in the outdoors you have a couple of options. The preferred option these days is to pack it and dispose of it at a toilet. This means having a poo pack with bags in to accomplish this (nappy bags are a good option). If you really can’t stand that idea then carry a trowel and bury it carefully and properly. There are other ways that involve sticks and spreading but this can very quickly get distressing.
Protecting the environment can also include not moving stones (or replacing them if you do move them) and protecting water sources. Avoid going to the toilet near water sources and be very careful about any cooking waste you are disposing of.
Remember the countryside is the natural home of many different wild animals, birds and insects. The best way to protect them is to leave them alone.
Never, under any circumstances, should you try to feed any animals – wild or not. In many areas ponies are needlessly killed because someone has fed them from their car and so encouraged them to go towards cars in the hopes of being fed. Also, human food is often not healthy for other animals. In some cases well meaning people have tried to help an animal in distress only to cause more problems. A young animal should never be touched or carried, it leaves the wrong scent which can confuse a mother and if they get separated by your intervention then it is sometimes impossible to reunite them. Your best option is to leave them alone or make a note of a location and contact the farmer when you get the opportunity.
If you see a snake give it a wide birth (Adder bites are poisonous but very rarely fatal). If you do get bitten then seek help straight away.
Never approach a bird’s nest and at times when they are nesting (spring and summer) stick to established routes and paths to save disturbing them. In some areas (e.g. Dartmoor) information for nesting sites to avoid is published online.
Don’t light fires – there are very few places in the UK countryside where it is legal to light a fire and every year large areas of countryside (including the habitats of lots of wildlife) is destroyed by those who lit a fire for fun. Just don’t do it! If you come across an unattended fire you should contact the police.
Always use gates and gaps where they are available, do not climb on walls or fences or force a gap in a hedge, damage to field boundaries can let animals through.
Enjoy the outdoors
I think they should have added the word ‘safely’ to this one because that seems to be what was intended.
It is always important to plan ahead (this is covered in more detail by route planning). This is for your own safety.
Take notice of any signs that are around (sometimes farmers will display their own notices and it is wise practice to read them).
I am not going to say you should never climb on anything or take a moment to cool your feet in a stream but, if you do, remember to do so safely! Rocks can get very slippery in wet weather and in streams and rivers. Trees sometimes have rotten branches that cannot bear weight. Bare feet can be easily cut on sharp rocks, etc. Remember that you may have to walk a long way after your fun and a cut (even a small one) on a foot can ruin your chances of completing your walk. Also remember that if you are injured you put the rest of your teams safety at risk as well.
Don’t throw stones or sticks at each other or animals.
Have fun.
You can see a copy of the code at: