Open access land is the term used for land in England that you can access without having to use paths, including mountains, moors, heaths and downs that are privately owned. It also includes common land registered with the council and some land around the England Coast Path.

Your right to access this land is called the right to roam, or freedom to roam.

Check the Natural England website for more details about open access land.

Barnsley's open access land

• Lower Whitley Edge, Crow Edge
• Sledbrook Hill, Crow Edge
• Upper Whitley/Shiner Hill, Crow Edge
• Broad Hill Bank, Dunford Bridge
• Tinker Hill, Dunford Bridge
• Brockholes/The Brow, Hartcliff
• Hartcliff Hill, Hartcliff
• Isle of Skye Quarry, Hunshelf
• Royd Moor Reservoir, Ingbirchworth
• Broadstones Reservoir, Maythorn
• Bingley Plantation, Millhouse Green
• Carr House Bank, Millhouse Green
• Black Moor Common, Thurgoland
• High Bank Quarry/High Bank, Thurlstone/Millhouse Green
• Wharncliffe Chase, Wortley

What you can use open access land for

You can use open access land at any time for the following, except when local restrictions are in place:

• walking
• running
• climbing
• bird watching
• picnicking

Restrictions

Dogs must be kept on a two metre lead between 1 March and 31 July, or throughout the year where there's livestock. On areas of grouse moor, dogs may be excluded completely.

You can't do any of the following on open access land:

• camp
• light fires or barbecues
• swim
• use boats or windsurf
• use metal detectors
• remove anything from the area (stone, fallen wood or plants)
• hang glide or paraglide
• take part in commercial activities

There are no new rights to ride a horse, cycle, or drive a vehicle. 

Landowners may restrict the use of open access land for 28 days a year for any reason, or apply to Natural England for longer restrictions. Public rights of way aren't affected by this.