Countryside Access - Outdoor Gallery

Whether your preference is for a morning's surfing in Cornwall, the more gentle attractions of spending an afternoon on a riverbank or a few days on a narrow boat navigating the canal network, you’ll find information and links to help you discover, explore and enjoy yourself around water.

Easington Colliery, Durham Heritage Coast ©Countryside Agency/Charlie Hedley

Coasts

England’s coastline is a range of contrasts, covering everything from shimmering white sand where generations have enjoyed the simple pleasure of making sandcastles to pebbly coves that are only reached by orienteers and the super-fit. In fact, 32% of our English coastline, or 1,027 kilometres (641 miles), is preserved as Heritage Coasts . You can find 341 beaches with Best Water Quality and 83 with Blue Flag Awards .

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has asked the Natural England confederation partners (The Countryside Agency, English Nature and the Rural Development Service) to look at options for how best to improve access to coastal land in England. The aim is to increase people's enjoyment and understanding of this environment, whilst also bringing improvements to wildlife and the landscape.

To view the latest information on coastal access, download the Coastal Access Information sheet. For the frequently asked questions on Coastal Access click here .

Derwent Reservoir, Derbyshire ©Countryside Agency/David Hughes

Lakes, rivers and canals

Natural lakes and their shores may be enticing, but they are not always open to the public. Any right of access to the land surrounding a lake does not necessarily give you right of access to the water or any rights to swim, fish or launch a boat.

• Reservoirs and their surrounding land belong to water companies, British Waterways or private industries. There are no general public rights, but there may be some permissive access to their shores.

• Rivers, as well as the land adjacent to them, are the property of the landowner. Even if a right of way exists beside a river, this does not give you the right to fish.

• Canal towpaths are legally part of the canal and so many are owned by British Waterways. Some towpaths are public rights of way and are usually accessible (on a permissive basis) to the public. Visit the British Waterways website to find out about the Waterways Code.

We’re working to improve coastal access and to find ways for you to enjoy and understand this environment. Full details are here .

Did you know there is a national fishing week? If you want to get fishing, visit the website .