Autumn Walk Etiquette: Minding the Countryside Code

There are few pleasures quite like an autumn walk in the British countryside. The hedgerows are heavy with berries, the woods turn copper and gold, and a crisp morning makes the promise of a pub lunch feel thoroughly earned. It is little wonder that so many of us lace up our boots as the clocks prepare to go back.

Yet the countryside is not simply a pretty backdrop. It is a working landscape, a home to rural communities and a habitat for wildlife preparing for winter. Walking well means remembering that we are guests. The Countryside Code, first published in 1951 and refreshed in 2021 by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, offers a gracious framework for doing exactly that.

Respect Everyone You Meet

The Code begins with respect for the people who live in, work in and enjoy the countryside. A friendly greeting to fellow walkers, riders and farm workers costs nothing and sets the tone for the day. On narrow paths, step aside to let others pass and give horses and cyclists plenty of room.

Take particular care with gates. The guidance is simple: leave gates and property as you find them. A gate left open may be there for a reason, and a closed gate almost certainly is. When parking, never block field gateways, farm tracks or driveways, as farmers and emergency vehicles may need access at any moment.

Follow the Paths

Keep to public footpaths, bridleways and marked routes unless you are on land where wider access is clearly permitted. Follow local signs, and if a path crosses a field of crops, walk in single file along the line provided rather than around the edge.

Protect the Landscape and Its Wildlife

Autumn paths can be thick with mud after rain. It is tempting to skirt the edges, but doing so widens the path and damages the surrounding vegetation. Good boots and a willingness to walk straight through are the more considerate choice.

Take all your litter home, including fruit peel and tea bags, which can take far longer to break down than many people assume. The Code also asks visitors not to light fires or barbecues in the countryside, and to avoid disturbing wildlife, plants and trees. Autumn is the season of the deer rut, so admire stags from a respectful distance and never approach them.

Keeping Dogs Under Control

Many of us walk with dogs, and they make wonderful companions in the countryside. The Code asks that dogs are kept under effective control and always in sight. Around livestock, a lead is the polite and sensible choice, even for the most obedient dog.

Cattle can be protective, especially with young calves nearby. If cattle or horses chase you and your dog, the Code advises that it is safer to let your dog off the lead so that you can both move away. Always bag and bin your dog's waste, and never leave filled bags hanging on branches or gates.

Awareness During the Shooting Season

Autumn coincides with the game shooting season in many rural areas, with pheasant shooting in England opening in October. Public rights of way remain open, but you may encounter shoots on neighbouring land. Stay on the path, follow any signs or instructions from those running the day, and keep dogs close so they do not disturb birds.

A courteous wave or a brief word with beaters and organisers goes a long way. Most shoots are well used to walkers and will simply pause until you have passed.

Enjoy the Outdoors, Prepared

The final strand of the Code is to enjoy yourself, safely. Shorter autumn days mean it is wise to check sunset times, plan your route and tell someone where you are going. Check the weather, pack a waterproof and a warm layer, and remember that mobile signal can be patchy in the hills.

Above all, leave the countryside as you would hope to find it. A walk taken with consideration for farmers, neighbours, wildlife and fellow walkers is, in the truest sense, a walk taken with good manners. That is the kind of grace that makes a season in the country something to share.