Advice on accessing green spaces safely and sensible use of the countryside

With the whole of the UK now in a national lockdown we must remember to play our part in keeping each other safe – and protecting our NHS – by acting responsibly when it comes to exercising outdoors.

England

Whilst the Government has stated that we should minimise the time spent outside of our homes, you can leave your home to exercise as long as you do not leave your local area. You can exercise in a public outdoor place:
• By yourself
• With people you live with
• With your support bubble (if you are legally permitted to form one)
• In a childcare bubble where providing childcare
• Or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household

When in the countryside, always remember to follow the Countryside Code. Please consider the local community and other people when you are spending time outdoors. If it is necessary to travel by car, please remember to park carefully so as to not obstruct access to gateways. All property and gates should be left as you found them.

Most importantly, please follow advice and local signs and obey social distancing rules.

Wales

Exercise is very important for both physical and mental health and even though Alert level 4 restrictions are in place, you can leave your home 'as often as you like to exercise' as long as you do so either alone or with members of your household, support bubble, and/or carer.

Despite there being no legal limits on the kind of exercise you can take, it has in practise been constrained by alert level 4 restrictions. These restrictions have included the temporary closure of leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools as well as sport courts and golf courses. Welsh Government is also asking people to avoid activities that involve a significant degree of risk such as swimming at sea, in lakes, rivers and other waterways to reduce the pressure of NHS Wales.

For full details on what is and isn't permitted, visit the Welsh Government website here.

We would like to remind you to consider landowners and livestock when exercising locally, remembering to keep dogs on leads and gates closed.

Scotland

Included in a list of 'reasonable excuses to go out' the Scottish Government have said you can leave home for 'local outdoor recreation, sport or exercise'. As long as you abide by the rules on meeting other households, you can walk, cycle, golf or run as long as it starts and finishes at the same place. This can be up to 5 miles from the boundary of your local authority.

Find out more on the Scottish Government website here