Right to Roam

Friends, Roamers, partyfolk,

Join us and very special guests around the fire @kendalmountainfestival for an evening of performance and conviviality. Come ready to sing, listen, laugh, connect and collaborate!

tickets.kendalmountainfestival.com/schedule/68d...

New environment secretary urged to act on access to countryside Britain’s oldest national conservation charity is calling on Emma Reynolds to prioritise legislation for wider and fairer access to nature.

New Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds urged to act on access to the countryside - great to see this gauntlet being thrown down by @campaignerkate.bsky.social & Open Spaces Society:

leftfootforward.org/2025/10/new-...

It’s easy to see the benefits that better access to nature brings by looking at examples in Scotland and across Scandinavia. Our campaign aims to bring these same opportunities to people in England, giving everyone the chance to explore, connect with, and care for our countryside.

A new generation is carrying forward the spirit of the original Kinder Scout Mass Trespass.
Watch the full film here -> www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKsK...

Access to nature from a young age helps build a lifelong love and respect for the land. A Right to Roam can help give that opportunity to everybody.

What does a Right to Roam mean to you?
Tell us here - forms.gle/gHGHqi4BAB4k...

We're rewilding party conferences 🌱

First stop, Lib Dems - where we talked rewilding benefits with MPs, co-hosted a Roam, Rewild, Restore event with the Green Lib Dems and @greenpeaceuk.bsky.social  @righttoroam.bsky.social @campaign4parks.bsky.social and ran a beach clean with @mcsuk.bsky.social 🐚

Join our new local group!

Everyone is welcome! You don’t need to be an expert on access rights. Whether you’re completely new to the subject or just looking for a friendly social group to join, this is a great way to meet people, learn something new, and make a difference to access in Dorset.

We believe every child should have the chance to explore and enjoy nature. These experiences can shape who we become and how we care for the world around us.

What does a Right to Roam mean to you?
Tell us here -> forms.gle/BY5qAvpHAHgR...

I'm proud to be part of the new Right to Roam #Sheffield group, where we invite you all to a welcome social on Thursday! @righttoroam.bsky.social

Ten new wild swimming locations should be created in London, report says London assembly committee says move will increase cleanliness of waterways and offer more access to outdoors

Access to swimming is a huge gap between the richest and the poorest.

With 30% from the poorest communities having access compared to 80%.

Everyone, including nature, should have clean, healthy rivers.

My report at the London Assembly:

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Our new local group in Sheffield is hosting a welcome social, and they would love to see you there! 🌿

Head over to their Instagram page for more details @right2roamsheffield

I'll be speaking at the @libdems.org.uk conference this weekend on behalf of @righttoroam.bsky.social.

'Roam, Rewilding, Restore'

Saturday, 1pm.

It's outside the secure zone so don't need a conference ticket to attend.

See some of you there?

Hey Elly, it has indeed! We'll likely do more in future and are in the process of setting up a small shop for prints and so on if you missed out this time 😊

Right to swim and wild camp in England should be enshrined in law, Labour MPs say Report from group of MPs calls for broader access to rivers, woodlands and fields to improve connection with nature

Labour MPs today call for new legislation to extend a right of responsible access to more English landscapes, and for the right to swim and wild camp to be enshrined in law

@righttoroam.bsky.social inputted to this new report from the APPG for access to nature:

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Great to attend the launch of the APPG for Access to Nature's new report yesterday, which calls for "new statutory rights for responsible access" to the English countryside.

As @andymacnaemp.bsky.social said, "my own view is that we need a default right of access." @righttoroam.bsky.social 1/

This prize draw is generously supported by some of the cream of British nature writing.

A fiver to enter might win you books, art and other goodies.
That’s the ‘maybe’… the ‘definitely’ is that it will support our work to connect everyone in England and Wales with their nearby nature.

All bundles include:
-Signed prints by artist Nick Hayes
-Signed nature books
-Stokes Croft China mug inspired by Nick Hayes
-Set of beautiful Greeting Cards
-A6 nature inspired notebook by Sarah Robinson
-Waxed canvas sit mat from Folde
-Folde Books tote bag
-A Lily Faith nature-themed wood pin

Want to support the campaign for a real Right to Roam across England & Wales, all while having a chance to win a bundle of beautiful nature bundles?

Take part in our Prize Draw which closes at the end of the week!

Supported by @foldedorset.bsky.social

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/right-to-r...

🧵1/
Since being elected MP for Bolton West in July 2024, improving access to the countryside and cleaning up our waterways have been two of my top priorities, as a keen kayaker myself 🛶.

Here’s what I’ve been up to over the last year 👇

Where there was a gap in the wall, there is now a filled in wall topped with barbed wire.

This is the Google Street View from September 2024.

Approaching the beautiful Lazonby Bridge. Ursula, in blue T-shirt, is briefly free of her big backpack, for 3 miles, which includes camping gear as well as the usual clothes and equipment. Her boyfriend drove up for a day or two and took it in the car. Hannah also joined in, as did Paddy for the morning only.

Yesterday I joined the amazing Ursula as she walks LEJOG using @slowwaysuk.bsky.social . We did Penrith to Lazonby. Annoyingly a good route has been blocked. Not a PRoW, but a very commonly used path over Penrith Beacon, blocked only at the far end. Why? Who does it benefit? It's just mean 😬.

Right to Roam @righttoroam.bsky.social is crowd funding some funds to help cover their expenses and keep them going in their campaign to both keep, and to open up, green spaces for us all to enjoy.

There are some lovely prizes to be won but either way....

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/dyR5G8Dn

We had a brilliant time @deershed.bsky.social
in the Buckendz tent! Huge thanks to all who joined us for inspiring author events - including the amazing @righttoroam.bsky.social team with @amyjanebeer.bsky.social - Wainwright Prize winner and wild writing wonder
🌿📚✨
#IndieBookshop #RightToRoam

Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access

Excellent to hear @lewis-winks.bsky.social on the Today programme this morning discussing his research on 'Who owns the River Dart' - and why this shows we need a right of responsible access

Listen here (45mins in): www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Guardian story: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Devon campaigners call for ‘right to riverbank’ after finding Dart has 108 owners Research shows difficulties ahead for ministers if they are to keep manifesto pledge to extend riverside public access

Over the past 18 months I've been walking estates, speaking with landowners, examining angling maps, and trawling online records to determine who owns the River Dart in Devon- finally I can share the results!

Research: whoownsengland.org/2025/07/29/w...

Article:
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The Guardian view on England’s riverbanks: landscapes that everyone should be able to enjoy | Editorial Editorial: Only a small sliver of riverside land is accessible to the public. Rights of way shouldn’t depend on the goodwill of landowners

“In opposition, Labour vowed to introduce a right to roam. In govt, it U-turned on this promise… its plan to create 9 new ‘river walks’ is a paltry compensation.”

Excellent Guardian leader on why we need a right of access to all rivers @righttoroam.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The Guardian view on England’s riverbanks: landscapes that everyone should be able to enjoy | Editorial Editorial: Only a small sliver of riverside land is accessible to the public. Rights of way shouldn’t depend on the goodwill of landowners

An excellent @theguardian.com leader today on access to rivers, following our research on the ownership of the Dart.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

"This has come from the water level up - it's been women in swimming costumes who have led this campaign from the very start." - @greenjorobb.bsky.social reflecting on how the pollution of rivers was transformed into a major political issue.

Is there a more powerful example of 'connect to protect'?

Thoroughly enjoying ‘The Cuckoo’s Lea’ by @drmjwarren.bsky.social, exploring England and its past through the places named after the birds that used to be there. It reminds me of the falconers whistle scene in Detectorists, with its ghostly echoes of the past. Lovely stuff.

The Dorset village being upended by ‘faceless developers’ Residents of Littlebredy face eviction following the £30 million sale of the historic Bridehead Estate

Excellent, clear-sighted piece featuring the @righttoroam.bsky.social trespass at the Bridehead Estate this weekend.

It took place amid deep uncertainty about what the future holds for a community whose lives can be upended now the estate has been sold.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07...

If anyone needed an example of how things are in the lived working countryside, how risky it is to speak up, & those old, stupid tropes ('the eternal & under-acknowledged truth..is the preachy & intrusive paternalism of city dwellers') check the comments under yesterday's Guardian Country Diary 1/4