The Countryside Code: What is it and why is it important?

At Bushcraft, we spend so much time outdoors and love embracing nature and what it has to offer.

There are some important things to keep in mind though as you enjoy the UK countryside and we thought it would be handy for us to break down exactly what “The Countryside Code” is and how you can use it.

What is The Countryside Code?

The Countryside Code in a nutshell is a handy guide full of advice on how to enjoy the great outdoors in the UK while also protecting it for years to come. It actually applies to more than just the UK countryside but any outdoor place such as coasts, parks and waterways.

The 3 most important things in The Countryside Code

Respect
This is really straightforward and is mainly looking at your surroundings and taking notes of any signs and what they are requesting of you. It can be anything from using specific walkways, closing gates and using bins provided.

Other ways you can use respect in the countryside code is being considerate to those who may live in that area. It might be a fun getaway trip for you but for others, this is their everyday environment. The code emphasises sharing the space and being polite like many of us would be in our own local area.

Protect
This is one of the most important parts of the code. The main focus is to try and minimise our impact on the environment as we enjoy it. So simple things from taking away your litter to avoiding actions such as lighting BBQs and fires unless stated.

The main focus for protect is to ensure nature can continue to thrive and that our presence has as little of an impact as possible.

Enjoy
Then finally we have enjoy! Make as many memories as you can while exploring the great outdoors.

To get the most out of your trip make sure you check weather conditions, plan your route and have an idea of activities to see and do.

You can read more about The Countryside Code  in depth if you are interested in learning all the ways your actions can help impact nature in a positive way. We also recommend familiarising yourself with local signs you are likely to encounter to ensure you can understand everything you might come across.

Enjoy your trip to the great outdoors! And look out for more great tips from Bushcraft in our Blog.