Activities Which Are Not Allowed Under CRoW Act Access Rights (General
Restrictions)
Information Sheet 3
The CRoW Act (2000) gives a right of access for open air recreation on foot. Activities such as bird watching, picnicking, climbing and running are all allowed, so long as no damage is done to the land. However, other activities are covered by general restrictions excluding them from the right of access. Unless the landowner/occupier gives their permission, then these activities are not allowed. These General Restrictions apply to all CRoW Act access land; there may further local restrictions on other specific smaller areas (see Information Sheets 5 and 7)
Activities Which Are Not Allowed Under CRoW Act Access Rights:
- riding a horse or bicycle;
- driving/riding a vehicle other than an invalid carriage
- using a vessel or sailboard on non-tidal water
- taking an animal other than a dog
- committing a criminal offence
- lighting or tending a fire or doing anything which is likely to cause a fire
- taking, killing, injuring or disturbing any animal, bird or fish
- taking, damaging or destroying eggs or nests
- feeding livestock
- bathing in non-tidal water
- hunting, shooting, fishing, trapping, snaring, taking or destroying animals, birds or fish
- using or having a metal detector
- intentionally removing, damaging or destroying plants, shrubs, trees or roots
- obstructing the flow of drains or watercourses
- interfering with fences and barriers
- not shutting gates except where it is reasonable to assume that a gate is intended to be left open
- affixing/writing an advertisement, bill, placard or notice
- obstructing or interfering with lawful activities on the land or adjoining land
- taking part in organised games
- camping
- hang-gliding or para-gliding
- taking part in activities for commercial purposes.
The two biggest differences between CRoW Act access land and the Dartmoor Commons are
- horse riding is not allowed under CRoW Act rights
- camping is not allowed on CRoW Act access land without the permission of the landowner.
On both CRoW Act access land and Dartmoor Commons, bicycles are only allowed on bridleways or byways, or on designated permissive cycle routes.
On CRoW Act access land, dogs must be on a short fixed lead (2m or less)
- between 1 March - 31 July
- at any time of year when in the vicinity of livestock.
Anyone who takes part in restricted activities will be trespassing and will lose their right of access to all the land owned by that particular landowner for 72 hours i.e. it is different to Dartmoor Commons land – these are not byelaw offences and people cannot be prosecuted for them.
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Page updated 23 November 2005
