Skip to content
Join
back to home

Advice on bridleways and other access

All the advice on this page is for access and rights of way in England and Wales. The law in Scotland and Northern Ireland is very different so for advice on access in those countries, see Northern Ireland or Scotland.

  • Last reviewed: 30th January 2025

Find what you are looking for

  1. Advice notes are grouped into sections. Councils or contractors are most likely to find help under Structures and surfaces or Changes to bridleways and byways.
  2. Other publications include research studies commissioned by the BHS or others.
  3. Lobbying and political activity will help with influencing change for greater inclusion of equestrians (see also Including horses under Structures and surfaces in 1.).

1. Advice notes

Advice notes are reviewed at least once a year. If you cannot find the topic you need, email access@bhs.org.uk or call 02476 840515.

What you may find on bridleways and byways

Other pages on potential hazards

Riding out
Researching and recording bridleways and byways

Find out more about unrecorded rights of way on Project 2026.

Changes to bridleways and byways
Structures and surfaces

Most of the advice here is aimed at councils and others responsible for providing equestrian access.

There are no 'BHS approved' structures or surfaces. Approval is always site-dependent. The Society's advice here is generalised, based on optimum for most equestrians and horses. Please consult the Society for specific circumstances. Horses and their riders or drivers vary considerably in size, agility, character and preference, however, the Society's advice aims to be inclusive, even if individuals have different opinions.

Surfaces

Structures

Including horses

Other factors affecting horses

2. Other publications

BHS Equestrian Access Strategy

Our Equestrian Access Strategy aims to enable every horse rider and carriage driver to be able to ride or drive from their stable onto a safe network of off-road paths, and until that time, to be able to access those safely via the road network.

Equestrian Access Strategy 2025

Memorandum of Understanding

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is an agreement between two or more parties that has been formally documented. An MOU is not necessarily a legally binding document. Signing of the MOU document signifies the intention and willingness of the involved parties to work collaboratively, towards the mutually identified goals and expectations within the MOU. 

 

MOU between BHS and Sustrans (August 2024)

Research and reports

Some of these reports are now some years old but their content remains relevant and pertinent.

British Horse Society Guidance Documents

Historical Evidence Guidance Jan 2025

3. Lobbying and political activity

The Society represents equestrians nationally about public rights of way and access. This means engagement with government through stakeholder groups and bodies such as Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, Forestry England and highways agencies. It includes lobbying ministers where appropriate and asking for questions in Parliament.

Letters to Ministers & Stakeholders

Letters to Ministers

Letters to Stakeholders

Responses

APPG Evidence

Template letters for you to send to your MP

Bridleways and byways are recorded, with footpaths, on formal documents called the Definitive Map and Statement, created and maintained by each county council. Many ancient bridleways and byways are not shown on the maps, but they can be added if evidence of an unrecorded right is collected and submitted.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 included a clause to end such submissions to add unrecorded historical rights of way on 1 January 2026. This created a huge task for organisations like the BHS which have worked very hard to research missing routes and make applications to record them. At the same time, the Society has continued to argue that the task has not been given the support promised by government and the clause should not be commenced. In February 2022, the government declared that they would repeal the clause, however, that has not happened and the clock is still ticking towards 2026. Below is a template letter which you may wish to edit to send to your MP in support of repeal of the cut-off date.

Be sure about bridleways

Learn more about bridleways and byways on our training days

You can help with our important work to defend bridleways and byways and to ensure equestrians are considered as vulnerable road users and included in all provisions for safe access, on and off road. Find out more about your rights and how to help by joining one of our virtual training days. All you need are a few hours and an internet connection.

Access and rights of way training
Riding Out 3 3 RIVERS RIDE 13217

Related articles

MOD personnel in hi-vis gilet talking to a horse rider

Riding on MOD land

Last updated: 23rd July 2024

There are many beautiful off-road routes on MOD land that are accessible for you to enjoy. Make sure you stay safe by wearing hi-vis clothing and plan your hack before setting off.