A Public Right of Way is a path or track that anyone can use at any time. These paths might go across private land, but the public has permission to walk or travel along them using set routes.
Many of these paths go through fields with animals or crops. Please use them carefully and respectfully.
Types of Public Rights of Way
There are four types of Public Rights of Way. Each type allows different kinds of travel. They are marked with coloured signs to help you know which one you’re on:
|
Type of Path |
Who Can Use It |
Colour of Sign |
|---|---|---|
|
Public Footpath |
People walking |
Yellow |
|
Public Bridleway |
People walking, horse riders, cyclists |
Blue |
|
Restricted Byway |
People walking, horse riders, cyclists, horse-drawn vehicles |
Plum |
|
Byway Open to All Traffic (BOAT) |
People walking, horse riders, cyclists, horse-drawn vehicles, motor vehicles |
Red |
Important Note
A Public Footpath is not the same as a Footway.
- A Footpath is a Public Right of Way, often through countryside or fields.
- A Footway is a path beside a road, usually called a pavement, and is part of the road system.