The Country Code
Encyclopedia
The Country Code, The Countryside Code and The Scottish Outdoor Access Code are sets of rules for visitors to rural, and especially agricultural, regions of the United Kingdom
. The Country Code dates back to the 1930s; the Countryside Code replaced it in 2004.
:
In the 1960s and 70s the Country Code was publicised by several public information film
s on television.
and the Countryside Council for Wales
:
developed The Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was approved in draft form by the Scottish Parliament
in July 2003 following the passing of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of the same year, and was accepted in February 2005.
For both The Countryside Code and The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, there is corresponding advice for land managers. The constituent points of each code are described in more detail in full publications.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The Country Code dates back to the 1930s; the Countryside Code replaced it in 2004.
The original rules
The Country Code evolved from the work of various organisations and had several different versions from the 1930s. The most widely accepted version of The Country Code was published in 1981 by The Countryside CommissionCountryside Agency
The Countryside Agency in England was a statutory body set up in 1999 with the task of improving the quality of the rural environment and the lives of those living in it. The Agency was formed by merging the Countryside Commission and the Rural Development Commission...
:
- Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work
- Guard against all risk of fire
- Fasten all gates
- Keep your dogs under close control
- Keep to public paths across farmland
- Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls
- Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
- Take your litter home
- Help to keep all water clean
- Protect wildlife, plants and trees
- Take special care on country roads
- Make no unnecessary noise
In the 1960s and 70s the Country Code was publicised by several public information film
Public information film
Public Information Films are a series of government commissioned short films, shown during television advertising breaks in the UK. The US equivalent is the Public Service Announcement .-Subjects:...
s on television.
The Countryside Code
In 2004 The Country Code was revised and relaunched as The Countryside Code (Côd Cefn Gwlad in Welsh) to reflect the introduction of new open access rights and changes in society over the preceding years. The revised Code was produced through a partnership between the Countryside AgencyCountryside Agency
The Countryside Agency in England was a statutory body set up in 1999 with the task of improving the quality of the rural environment and the lives of those living in it. The Agency was formed by merging the Countryside Commission and the Rural Development Commission...
and the Countryside Council for Wales
Countryside Council for Wales
The Countryside Council for Wales is an Assembly Government Sponsored Body. It is the Welsh Assembly Government's wildlife conservation authority for Wales...
:
- Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
- Leave gates and property as you find them
- Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
- Keep dogs under close control
- Consider other people
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code
In Scotland, where there is a more general right of access, Scottish Natural HeritageScottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is a Scottish public body. It is responsible for Scotland's natural heritage, especially its natural, genetic and scenic diversity. It advises the Scottish Government and acts as a government agent in the delivery of conservation designations, i.e...
developed The Scottish Outdoor Access Code:
- Take responsibility for your own actions
- Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind
- Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and effectively
- Care for the environment
- Keep your dog under proper control
- Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was approved in draft form by the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
in July 2003 following the passing of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of the same year, and was accepted in February 2005.
For both The Countryside Code and The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, there is corresponding advice for land managers. The constituent points of each code are described in more detail in full publications.