Shropshire Area Ramblers

 

The Ramblers’ Association is a registered charity (England & Wales no 1093577, Scotland no SC039799) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no 4458492.) Registered office: 2nd Floor, Camelford House, 87-90 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7TW

 

Advice for Walkers

This section provides advice on how to deal with the problems can be encountered when out on a walk.

Cattle in fields

The dangerous breeds of bull are all dairy bulls and it is against the law to keep a dairy bull in a field with a footpath running through it.

The beef breeds are more docile and may be kept in a field as long as they are with cows. It is very rare for these types of bulls to create problems for walkers.

Devon Council has a useful page describing the various breeds of bulls and how to recognise them on  http://www.devon.gov.uk/index/environmentplanning/public_rights_of_way/faqs/bulls_on_prow.htm

The bigger problem for walkers may be herds of cattle with or without calves although this is generally only a problem if you have a dog with you.

The advice on our national web-site is as follows:

Livestock can often be deterred from following you too closely by turning to face them with both arms raised. Don't brandish a stick, as this may excite them, and use an ordinary speaking voice rather than shouting. Don't walk between a cow and her calf. If you are threatened by cattle when walking a dog, you should let the dog off the lead - it's better that they go after your dog than you.

 

Obstructions on Rights of Way.

If you encounter an obstruction you have certain rights to enable you to continue your walk:

If the obstruction is clearly made by the land holder, there is a right to deviate onto other land belonging to the same landowner in order to get around to the obstruction. This includes going around the edge of a field where a cross field path has been ploughed or cropped such that is it unreasonably inconvenient to use. (Although the Ramblers view is that unless crops present a severe obstacle, the legal line across the field should be followed).

This means you do need to be sure you are staying on land belonging to the offending landholder. This is not always clear especially on field boundaries.   

Stiles and gates are the responsibility of landholders but bridges are not, so this right does not apply where a footbridge is missing.

Also, where the obstruction is a natural cause such as riverbank erosion then there is no right to deviate and the right of way ceases to exist.

 

 

 

 

This page is under construction. Suggestions for further useful advice are welcome.

Please contact us.