Thought this was interesting, about how there are areas of land we have access rights to but they're surrounded by private land we don't have rights to. A couple of hilltops locally have public access rights but I wouldn't pass them on a route using the usual ROWs (inc FPs).

Google map here - you might need to zoom in a bit to see them in your area

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mi ... 70798&z=15

General articles -
https://www.ukclimbing.com/news/2024/02 ... side-73601
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68278444

Red rags and bulls..
Almost guarantees a quiet bivi spot doesn't it?

I'd seen that article on the BBC. There are a couple of open access areas on the Island where rights of way go past the boundaries but there is no way (that I have found) in to them

One of which looks a possible bivi location but unless I'm climbing over a high fence I cant work out how I'd get in

sean_iow wrote: ↑Thu Feb 22, 2024 4:51 pm There are a couple of open access areas on the Island where rights of way go past the boundaries but there is no way (that I have found) in to them

There are a few areas like that round here. I had a run in, albeit a very civil one, with a farmer a little while back when I had parked on a track at a gateway that leads onto access land and as a result did a little research so as to stand me in better stead for a 'discussion' next time around. He had me bang to rights about parking on the land, which I already knew, but he also claimed I'd accessed the land in the incorrect place and access was only permitted via a public right of way, which in this case was by veering from a bridleway at the far side of the plot.

Anyway, it turns out you can enter access land anyway you wish so long as "he does so without breaking or damaging any wall, fence, hedge, stile or gate", so climbing in wherever you see fit is quite legit. I can quite imagine claims that any climbing over a wall/fence/locked gate is doing damage, but can't imagine that standing up in court should it ever get there. And in my case, the gate I'd naughtily driven through could have been used to walk onto the land quite lawfully despite the guy's assertion.

Ramblers have a guide which summarises.

And I'd not dream of cycling there, obviously.

It's all a nonsense. I'm so bloody jealous of those north of the border!

This popped up last year about the very same issues.

https://youtu.be/ZZDWDb-TaMM?si=1SUaS23tLMx0gVo_