Rights of way
What's a right of way?
A right of way is a public path. Anyone may 'pass or re-pass' along a right of way, at any time.
Rights of way provide routes into the countryside and around towns and can be wide tracks or narrow trails.
They are signposted from the highway (look for signposts like the one pictured) and are often waymarked to show the route and make the paths easy to follow.
There are four different types of right of way:
Footpaths – These are marked with yellow arrows and should only be used on foot.
Bridleways – These are marked with blue arrows and can be used on foot, horseback and pedal cycles.
Restricted byways - These are marked with a plum coloured arrow and are open to walkers, cyclists, horse riders and vehicles that are not mechanically propelled (such as horse and cart).
Byways – These are marked with a red arrow and are open to all traffic.
Great photos of Nottinghamshire to encourage you outside
Get involved in our online photo sharing group, and check out photos of the Best of Notts Countryside http://www.flickr.com/groups/bestofnotts. There's some great shots of Notts taken by local photographers. You can add your photos too.
We've also set up our own Countryside Acess team photo album http://www.flickr.com/photos/countrysideaccessnotts
What's happening on the rights of way network in your area?
Access News, a regularly updated news page on the county's path network can keep you up to date. Containing information on diversions, closures maintenance and more.
We are responsible for looking after the right of way network in Nottinghamshire
This includes:
- Ensuring that the legal line of the path is easy to find (clearly signposted) and easy to follow (free from obstructions and waymarked). If you come across a problem on a right of way you can report path problems online
- Keeping the surface of a right of way in good repair, including bridges and culverts
- Ensuring paths are free from growing crops and that the line of the path is reinstated if it is disturbed by ploughing
- Ensuring that all stiles and gates are in good condition
- Maintaining the Definitive Map, which provides a legal record of rights of way in Nottinghamshire
- Considering applications to make legal changes to rights of way
- Promoting the use of this network of paths for walking, cycling and horse riding and producing publications for you to enjoy
- Operating Parish Paths Partnership and Farm Partnership schemes, which are initiatives allowing members of the farming and land-owning community, parish and local councils to be more actively involved in the management and maintenance of the rights of way network
- Producing a Rights of Way Improvement Plan outlinging how we can improve the rights of way in Nottinghamshire
- Establishing and running a local access forum.
- Providing a land search service to advise on the existence of rights of way in a given location.
We’ve put together some frequently asked questions, which may help you with any queries you may have.
You can also contact us more information or for a copy of our leaflet called Finding Your Way [PDF 533KB] 
a guide to public paths in Nottinghamshire.
