England has thousands of miles of public rights of way running through its countryside, but some areas have considerably larger mapped networks available to horse riders than others.
We analysed Natural England’s mapped higher-rights network to find the parts of England with the greatest mileage of routes where higher access rights are recorded. Across the areas included in our study, we identified 27,720.8 miles of mapped routes waiting to be explored on horseback.
The areas with the most mapped horse-riding rights of way
Our analysis found the following ten areas had the greatest mileage within the dataset:
|
Rank |
Area |
Mapped miles |
|
1 |
North Yorkshire |
1,776 |
|
2 |
Wiltshire |
1,539 |
|
3 |
Dorset |
1,138 |
|
4 |
Northumberland |
1,128 |
|
5 |
Hampshire |
918 |
|
6 |
Oxfordshire |
893 |
|
7 |
Somerset |
846 |
|
8 |
Devon |
829 |
|
9 |
West Sussex |
825 |
|
10 |
Shropshire |
777 |
The figures represent mileage recorded within the mapped higher-rights network used for the research. They should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every mile is currently accessible or suitable for riding.
1. North Yorkshire – 1,776 mapped miles
North Yorkshire tops the ranking with approximately 1,776 miles of mapped higher-rights routes.
Home to the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, and vast areas of farmland and open countryside, the county has strong ties to horse riding and rural life, making its position at the top of the ranking especially fitting.
2. Wiltshire – 1,539 mapped miles
Wiltshire boasts approximately 1,539 miles, making it the only other area in our analysis to exceed 1,500 mapped miles. Its rural landscape, historic tracks, chalk downland, and extensive network of countryside routes contribute to its strong position.
3. Dorset – 1,138 mapped miles
Dorset ranks third with approximately 1,138 miles. Known for rolling countryside as well as its famous coastline, the county has a substantial rural rights-of-way network extending well beyond the better-known coastal walking routes.
4. Northumberland – 1,128 mapped miles
As one of England’s most sparsely populated counties, Northumberland contains large expanses of open countryside, upland landscapes, and rural tracks.
5. Hampshire – 918 mapped miles
Hampshire completes the top five with approximately 918 miles of woodland, downland, farmland, and countryside that contributes to a substantial network of mapped routes.
6. Oxfordshire – 893 mapped miles
Oxfordshire records around 893 miles, placing it sixth overall. Beyond Oxford itself, much of the county is rural, incorporating parts of the Cotswolds and extensive agricultural landscapes.
7. Somerset – 846 mapped miles
Somerset combines farmland, hills, moorland, and traditional rural tracks, helping it secure a place within the national top ten.
8. Devon – 829 mapped miles
Devon’s large geographical area contains extensive countryside and two major moorland landscapes, Dartmoor and Exmoor, alongside a sizable rural route network.
9. West Sussex – 825 mapped miles
The South Downs and surrounding countryside contribute to the county's strong representation within the mapped network.
10. Shropshire – 777 mapped miles
Completing the top ten is Shropshire, with approximately 777 mapped miles. Its largely rural landscape and extensive network of tracks and countryside routes help it stand out despite having a smaller population than many other English counties.
What types of rights of way can horse riders use?
Not every public right of way gives horse riders the same legal access. The principal route classifications relevant to riders are:
- Bridleways – available to walkers, horse riders, and cyclists.
- Restricted byways – generally available to walkers, horse riders, cyclists, and non-motorised vehicles.
- Byways open to all traffic (BOATs) – public routes carrying vehicular rights as well as access for walkers and horse riders.
Footpaths, by comparison, provide a public right of way on foot and should not automatically be treated as riding routes.
Anyone planning a ride should check the definitive map and current rights-of-way information provided by the relevant local authority.
Why does access to off-road routes matter to riders?
A good rights-of-way network can give riders alternatives to busy roads and make it easier to explore the countryside.
Depending on the area, these routes can provide:
- Access between villages and rural communities.
- Connections between longer riding routes.
- Opportunities for off-road hacking.
- Access to woodland, farmland, downland, and open countryside.
- Links between bridleways and other higher-rights routes.
How we carried out the research
We analysed the Natural England mapped higher-rights network and compared recorded route mileage geographically. The underlying dataset was reviewed and route lengths were aggregated to create an area-level ranking.
Across the areas included in the completed analysis, the mapped network totals 27,720.8 miles.
We retained the classifications and source labels provided by the underlying data rather than attempting to infer classifications where they were not explicit.
The figures have been rounded for presentation in the ranking above.
Important limitations
The data should be understood as a comparison of the mapped network represented in the dataset.
It does not mean:
- Every recorded route is currently open and unobstructed.
- Every mile is suitable for every horse and rider.
- All routes have the same surface or condition.
- The dataset represents every possible riding route in England.
- The figures are a measurement of route quality.
Rights of way can also be affected by temporary closures, local restrictions, maintenance, weather, vegetation, and changes that may not immediately be reflected within a national dataset. Riders should always consult current local information before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Which area has the most horse-riding rights of way?
In our analysis of Natural England's mapped higher-rights network, North Yorkshire ranked first with approximately 1,776 miles.
Can horses use public footpaths?
A public footpath normally provides a legal right of way on foot only. Horse riders should instead look for routes such as bridleways, restricted byways, and byways where appropriate riding rights exist.
What is a bridleway?
A bridleway is a public right of way that can legally be used by pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists, although cyclists must give way to people on foot and horseback.
Are all bridleways suitable for riding?
Not necessarily. Legal access does not guarantee that a route will be suitable for every horse or rider. Surfaces, gates, vegetation, gradients, traffic crossings, weather, and temporary restrictions can all affect conditions.
Where should I check a route before riding?
Check the definitive map or rights-of-way information provided by the relevant local authority, particularly if you are unfamiliar with the area.
Sources
The principal source used for this analysis was Natural England's mapped higher-rights network dataset, available through the UK Government's environmental data services.
Local authorities remain the appropriate source for current definitive rights-of-way information and temporary route restrictions.
