Access to the Countryside

Last updated: 23 March 2009

The natural beauty of Northern Ireland is world famous and it's not surprising that there are increasing pressures, from the local population and tourists to be able to walk in the countryside.

However, all the land in our countryside is owned by someone and the public have no automatic right to go onto it.

Access to the Countryside
Leave no trace logo

NIEA supports Ireland Leave No TraceOpens in new window.. This is an Outdoor Ethics Programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation. Remember, we all have a part to play, whether walking your dog, fishing, hiking, biking or visiting your local park - please Leave No Trace and be an advocate for the message.

The Department of the Environment and the Department of Finance and Personnel have produced Occupiers Liability Law Information Leaflet in the Context of Access to the Countryside of Northern IrelandOpens in new window. (PDF 308KB).  The purpose of this brief information leaflet is to describe the relationship between the Government’s aim in promoting managed access to the countryside and the role of occupiers’ liability legislation.

A review of barriers to participation in countryside recreation faced by specific communities in Northern Ireland has been commissioned by NIEA. The work was delivered by the Countryside Access and Activities Network and will inform the development of actions necessary to address issues of inequity.

The aim of the review is twofold:

  • To examine barriers limiting participation in countryside recreation for

             - people with a disability

             - people from ethnic minority communities

             - people living within areas of disadvantage

  • To examine barriers faced by providers of countryside recreation when working with these groups.

Front cover of Barriers to Participation report

Barriers to ParticipationOpens in new window. (pdf 1469KB)

A wide range of recommendations on how to overcome the identified barriers are detailed. These apply to all stakeholders in countryside recreation across Northern Ireland and a number of actions have been agreed and will be progressed by NIEA.