Momentum building for Scottish-style land access rights in England, says film
A new documentary titled Our Land highlights growing support for Scottish-style land access rights in England, where the public can currently access only 8% of land. The film follows right to roam campaigners using tactics inspired by historical protests, including mass trespasses on private land. It calls for an informed national conversation on balancing public access with landowners' concerns.
- ▪The documentary Our Land explores the rise of the right to roam movement in England, inspired by early 20th-century campaigners and the 1932 Kinder Scout mass trespass.
- ▪Campaigners point to the legal battle over wild camping rights on Dartmoor as a key catalyst that energized public support for expanded access.
- ▪Scotland's 2003 Land Reform Act grants responsible public access to most land and inland water, a model activists want replicated in England.
- ▪Landowners like John Grant support responsible public access, while others, such as Francis Fulford, express concerns about safety, cost, and public understanding of rural life.
- ▪Farmers have raised concerns about potential damage from public access, including open gates endangering livestock and disturbances to crops by people and dogs.
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Hikers in Kendal. Our Land explores the rise of the right to roam movement in England. Photograph: SuppliedView image in fullscreenHikers in Kendal. Our Land explores the rise of the right to roam movement in England. Photograph: SuppliedLand rightsMomentum building for Scottish-style land access rights in England, says filmDocumentary makers seek to start ‘informed conversation’ in country where public is allowed on just 8% of landSandra LavilleSat 2 May 2026 02.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleAnger and momentum are building for Scottish style rights of access to mountains, meadows, rivers and woodlands in England where the public is allowed on just 8% of land, a new documentary suggests.Our Land, a film whose title is a nod to the protest song by Woody Guthrie, explores the rise…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at World news | The Guardian.
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