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Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) home page | Sponsored by Welsh Assembly Government

Countryside Council for Wales
Enjoying the country

Enjoying the country

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Natural Resources Wales logo

From 01 April 2013, Natural Resources Wales will take over the functions currently carried out by the Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales, the devolved functions of Environment Agency Wales and some functions that are currently carried out within the Welsh Government.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)website.


Getting out there...

Boats on river Afon Teifi

Whatever, you decide to do - enjoying the countryside can improve your fitness and physical health. Walking, cycling and riding whilst enjoying nature and wildlife is good for both body and mind.

The National Trails

Key points along the National Trails are within easy reach of buses and trains and essential services at towns and villages. You can follow the trails path through the landscape with our interactive countryside access map.

Walking in Wales

Find a walk on Outdoor Wales onLine. Our walks range from national trails like Offa’s Dyke to shorter country meanders like the Llancarfan Valley of the Stags circular route in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Access to rivers, lakes, canals

You can discover the best places for you and your family to go, find out what times of the year you can paddle, where you can get in and out of the water and what facilities might be there including parking and toilets.

Outdoor Wales onLine Map

OWoL Map

OWoL Map

Research, explore, discover.... The Welsh countryside at your fingertips - use our interactive OWoL map and see what's out there!

You can use Outdoor Wales onLine to find everything from short or long hikes to boating and bird watching and picnic areas...plus links to useful information such as weather forecasts, travel or where to find accommodation.

The Countryside Code

Countryside Code logo

Advice for Visitors -There are five sections of The Countryside Code dedicated to helping members of the public respect, protect and enjoy the countryside.

Advice for Farmers & Landowners - If you manage land you can find out about your rights and responsibilities.

Open Access Land

Open Access map logo

Open access land - areas of mountain, moor, heath, down land and registered common land (mapped under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000) open to people to walk, run, explore, climb and watch wildlife, without having to stay on paths.

Public rights of way

Public Rights of Way are the subject of new plans in Wales known as Rights of Way Improvement Plans (ROWIPs).

Restrictions on the land

Sometimes special circumstances might restrict you from visiting land you could otherwise explore. Learn how and why...

Types of land restriction

Restrictions are used to balance the needs of walkers and farmers, ultimately to help ensure the safety of the public and the continuing enjoyment of the countryside for all. There are two major types of restriction ...

Tracking Fire Severity

Under exceptional weather conditions it is vital to be attentive to possible hazards. A fire severity index has therefore been set-up to forcast fire severity in Wales...

Wales Coast Path

Walker on the Pembrokeshire Path

About the path...

Delve behind the history of the Path and see who helped with its creation.

Discover just how much of the Path runs through or close to some of Wales’ protected landscapes and habitats.

Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey

Windsurfing

The Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey measures participation in outdoor recreation among residents in Wales and has been commissioned jointly by Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales.

The Statistical First Release: Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey: 2011 Results and 2008/2011 Comparison are now available. This release presents a summary of the initial headline results from the Welsh Outdoor Recreation Survey 2011 which was undertaken between January 2011 and January 2012. It also compares data between the 2008 and 2011 surveys.

CRoW Act

School children on coast path Pwllcochan

Frequently Asked Questions On The Access Provisions Of The Countryside And Rights Of Way Act

Includes information on the mapping review 2012. The Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act was passed in 2000.

Access forums

The National Access Forum for Wales brings together representatives of landowners and managers, countryside access user groups, public bodies and voluntary sector organisations to consider countryside access issues for the country.

CCW administers and chairs the Forum and all meetings are open to the public

 

There are ongoing efforts in Wales to improve public access to land - everyone should have the ability to enjoy the Welsh countryside and appreciate all it has to offer.

Twenty-nine Local Access Forums (LAFs) have therefore been set up in Wales to advise local authorities, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Welsh Government on access developments.

Newsletter...

Latest Enjoying the Outdoors Newsletter:

This newsletter aims to bring you information about the Countryside Council for Wales' work on the theme of recreation and access in the great outdoors. The newsletter is issued three times a year.

Sunset N Coast St Brides Bay

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The countryside team
C/O Enquiries
CCW
Maes-y-Ffynnon
Penrhosgarnedd
Bangor
Gwynedd
LL57 2DW
Telephone number
0845 1306229
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