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To check whether you can use a path in England, start with the local council’s definitive map and statement. Use Ordnance Survey or another map to find and plan the route, but check its recorded right-of-way category to see which kinds of travel are allowed. For a legal query or a disputed route, ask the council to check the definitive record and any relevant orders.
Find the route on maps, then check the council’s record
- Identify the surveying authority. Search the council website for “definitive map,” “rights of way,” or “public footpaths.” Councils may provide an interactive map; the local surveying authority holds the definitive map for its area. See GOV.UK’s guidance on local authority responsibilities.
- Locate and plan the route. GOV.UK says public rights of way may be shown on Ordnance Survey and other maps, and on some council websites. The National Archives notes that OS maps at 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 scales have depicted rights of way from 1960 onward, based on definitive maps. A general map is useful for orientation, but is not the final word on a route’s legal status.
- Check the recorded category. A public right of way may be a footpath, bridleway, restricted byway, or byway open to all traffic. The category determines who may use it. A visible track or a line on a general map alone does not establish the full legal position.
- For a specific legal question, contact the authority. Ask to inspect the definitive map and statement and any relevant modification or path orders. These records are more appropriate than a consumer map for resolving uncertainty or a dispute. See Natural England’s guidance on public rights of way and The National Archives’ guide to public rights of way and highways.
What each right-of-way category allows
| Recorded category | Permitted users |
|---|---|
| Public footpath | Walkers, including people running, using mobility scooters, or using powered wheelchairs. |
| Bridleway | Walkers, horse riders, cyclists, and people using mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs. |
| Restricted byway | Travel without a motor, as well as use of mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs. |
| Byway open to all traffic | Any kind of transport, including motor vehicles. These routes are mainly used by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. |
These categories and user rights are set out in GOV.UK’s public rights-of-way guidance. If the route record is unclear, ask the authority rather than inferring the category from how the path looks.
Distinguish a public path from other access
Open-access land
Open-access land is a separate access framework, not another name for a public footpath. The right to roam may allow activities such as walking, running, wildlife watching, and climbing on mapped land. Exceptions and local or seasonal restrictions can apply; cycling and horse riding are not generally included unless a separate right or permission applies. Check GOV.UK’s overview of rights of way and access land and its guidance on using the right to roam.
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Permissive access
A landowner may allow people to cross private land for a stated purpose. This permission is not the same as a recorded public right of way. Follow any signs and limits on the permission; see GOV.UK’s guidance on accessing private land.
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Choose the right map for your question
- Coverage: Does it show the full route and nearby alternatives?
- Scale and detail: Is there enough detail to identify field paths, junctions, and route changes?
- Rights-of-way categories: Can you distinguish footpaths from bridleways and other route types?
- Currency: Could later legal orders or temporary restrictions affect what the map shows?
- Purpose: For planning, a general or council map can help. To establish a legal position, consult the authority’s definitive map and statement and relevant orders.
The National Archives describes how rights of way appear on OS maps and explains the role of historic and local records in its research guide. A digital map is convenient, but ask the council which record is statutory and whether later orders affect the route.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If a path is missing, blocked, or disputed
A route is absent from the map
Omission from a definitive map does not, by itself, prove that the public has no rights over a route. If a route is missing or its status is uncertain, ask the surveying authority to check the definitive record and whether unrecorded rights or relevant orders may apply. The National Archives explains this limitation in its guide to public rights of way, roads, and other highways.
A route is obstructed or poorly maintained
Report an obstruction, maintenance problem, or misleading sign to the local council. GOV.UK directs users to their council for these issues: Use public rights of way.
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