Rights of way - information and advice

Maidstone Borough Council does not look after public rights of way. These are all managed by the Countryside Access Service.

The Countryside Access Service is responsible for:

protection, maintenance and enhancement of Kent's public rights of way network
management of the public rights of way Definitive Map and Statement
the Village Greens and Commons Registration Service
promotion of countryside access
management of open access land.

You can view the entire network of public rights of way and the location of all gates, stiles and bridges and so on on the interactive map.

What are public rights of way?

Public rights of way are mainly paths for walkers, cyclists and horseriders. They allow people to explore and enjoy the countryside at a leisurely pace. Or they can be used for short journeys such as to school, to church, to work or even to the pub!

Kent has more than 4,200 miles (6,700 km) of public footpaths, bridleways and byways providing free access to the Garden of England.

Like a public road, a public right of way is a highway which anybody may use at any time. Public rights of way are recorded on a Definitive Map and Statement (a legal record of public rights of way). Each path is classified according to who is allowed to use it and the public's rights along it.

Find out more about who can use the different public rights of way.

How we manage and promote rights of way

The Countryside Access Improvement Plan shows how Kent County Council plans to improve the network over the next 10 years. It also shows what projects are already underway.

The Countryside Access Design Standards are now available to download. The standards assist landowners and countryside agencies in raising the quality of access furniture (for example, gates, bridges and stiles) across the county.

For free walks and rides, ideas for great days out and an excellent interactive map that shows all of the rights of way in Kent, visit the Explore Kent website.

Who can use public rights of way?

There are four categories of public right of way:

Footpath

For walkers only. You are allowed to take a pram, pushchair or wheelchair along a public footpath but please be aware that many routes may not be physically suitable for that purpose. Public footpaths are mostly waymarked with yellow arrows.

Bridleway

For walkers, horseriders and pedal cyclists. Cyclists must give way to walkers and horseriders. Bridleways are mostly waymarked with blue arrows.

Byways open to all traffic

Often just referred to as byway, for vehicles, cyclists, horseriders and walkers. Because of its nature, it is used mainly as a footpath or bridleway. Byways open to all traffic are mostly waymarked with red arrows.

Restricted byway

For walkers, horseriders, cyclists and horse drawn vehicles. Restricted byways are mostly waymarked with purple arrows.

Additional information

A permissive route is not a public right of way. The public are allowed to use it with the kind permission of the landowner
There is a difference between public and private rights. Kent County Council does not hold records of private rights of access - you should seek your own legal advice on such matters
When using public rights of way you should be aware that there might also be additional landowner or other private rights of access with vehicles
Although footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways exclude motor vehicles, this is without prejudice to any higher public rights that may exist. For example, in certain cases private access rights may exist.