Countryside Code

Where communities and nature meet: lessons from Pear Tree Park 

By Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England In this blog, NE Chair Tony Juniper reflects on his recent visit to Pear Tree Park in Ealing with the Deputy Mayor Mete Coban to talk about the importance of green spaces for …

Protecting the Thames Basin Heaths: evidence from 15 years of the SAMM Project

By Zoe Shorter, Project Manager for the SAMM Team, Thames Solent Area Team This blog explains the findings of an independent evaluation of the 15-year Thames Basin Heaths SAMM Project. Evidence suggests the project is successfully mitigating recreational pressure on …

Explore More for Less: Affordable South East Nature Days Out

This summer, if you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for …

Explore More for Less: Affordable Southwest Nature Days Out

If you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for our favourite affordable days out in …

Explore More for Less: Affordable East Midlands Nature Days Out

This summer, if you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for our favourite affordable days …

Water and Wellbeing: The People And Nature Blue Spaces Report

Picture of a reservoir surrounded by reeds on one bank, and trees on another bank.

By Fränze Kibowski, Senior Specialist - Social Sciences This blog explains the results of the recent People and Nature Blue Spaces Report, discussing how we interact with places like beaches, rivers and lakes, while looking at how the findings will …

Explore More for Less: Affordable West Midlands Nature Days Out

This summer, if you’re looking for fun and accessible days out that are low-cost, then we have you covered. Not only is spending time in nature great for your wellbeing, it can also be great for your bank balance. Here are our suggestions for our favourite affordable days …

Celebrating 75 Years of the Countryside Code!

By Clare Webb, Countryside Code Project Manager at Natural England.  In this blog, Countryside Code Project Manager Clare Webb reflects on the evolution of the code over the last 75 years, and how her work has changed to accommodate evolving …

Celebrating 25 Years of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 – and 20 Years of Public Access Rights

Snailsden Reservoir Peak District National Park. Image: David Drake

By David Drake, People and Nature Director This year marks a double milestone in the history of outdoor access in England and Wales: 25 years since the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW Act) was passed, and 20 …

Celebrating five years of the People and Nature Surveys: What we’ve learned about England’s love for the outdoors 

By Sheldon Allen, Project Manager, Natural England’s People and Nature Survey Team  Nature and happiness – what's the connection?  What makes you feel happy? For most people in England, it’s time spent outdoors. Our People and Nature Survey for England (PaNS) …