This document, first published in 1995 as part C of Open Countryside, the National Trust's review of its access policies and practice, has been revised and re-issued.

An estimated 50 million visits a year are made to the Trust's coast and countryside properties. The Trust has over 40 different recreational activities which take place somewhere on its land at some time.

This document sets out the guiding principles which govern the provision and management of 24 of these activities - the most popular and the ones where there can be conflict with the Trust's conservation responsibilities.

These principles act as a guide for local managers in the determination of what is appropriate recreational activity when the interests of conservation and the interests of all have to be taken into account. It seeks to find the balance for access with conservation.

The intention is to keep the document up to date in the light of experience and as a response to changing recreational needs.

You can read our guiding principles for each activity by clicking on the appropriate option on the left. Alternatively you can download the whole document as a PDF.