How We're Protecting The Freedom To Roam With The Ramblers

Like us, our partners the Ramblers are passionate about helping everyone enjoy the benefits of walking and breaking down any barriers that stand in the way. 

Together, we’re working to make sure the places we love to walk, and the paths, tracks and trails that lead us to them, are preserved and protected for future generations.   

The Ramblers were founded in 1935, and they’re Britain’s leading walking charity. They protect the places we love to walk, our right to access the countryside and provide opportunities for everyone to get outdoors.  

As part of our partnership, Ramblers’ members get 15% off walking kit at Cotswold Outdoor. And the best part? When members use the discount, a percentage of the purchase price is returned to the Ramblers to help them look after the places we love to explore.    

The crunch of leaves underfoot. The view from a mountaintop as the sun breaks through the clouds. Historic footpaths and wide-open spaces. Every walk is different – and we share a love for them all. 

Nature nourishes us, whether you’re taking a leisurely stroll through a local park or exploring a remote, windswept moor. Spending time in the outdoors has been proven to make us not just healthier, but happier too. Being outside gives us a chance to leave the stresses of everyday life behind, breathe in the fresh air and reconnect with nature. It’s a simple universal pleasure that should be available to everyone, everywhere. 

It’s for this reason, the Ramblers are campaigning to expand the Freedom to Roam in England. If you don’t know, the Freedom to Roam is your right to walk freely without sticking to footpaths or worrying about accidentally trespassing.  

The Freedom to Roam lets us escape, explore, and wander without constraint. And from the tors of Dartmoor to the fells of the Lake District, it covers some of our most inspiring, dramatic landscapes. 

But the Freedom to Roam only covers 8% of England and is concentrated in areas like the Lake District, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales. In these parts of England that have the Freedom to Roam, the physical and mental benefits of walking in nature and exploring open landscapes are part of everyday life. 

But for many, these areas are too remote, and the most deprived communities are the furthest away. According to research by the Ramblers, residents of our most deprived areas must travel 48% further to enjoy the Freedom to Roam. 

For those from our most ethnically diverse neighbourhoods, that figure rises to 73%. If the Freedom to Roam were expanded beyond its current concentration and spread more equally across the country, millions more people would be able to enjoy its benefits. It would have a particularly significant impact on people living in the most deprived communities. 

The Ramblers are calling on the government to expand the Freedom to Roam to cover woodlands, watersides and more downland. According to their research, this would bring the Freedom to Roam within a 20-minute walk of the most deprived groups. And from improving our physical health to boosting our mental well-being, it would allow many more of us to enjoy the benefits of walking in nature. 

You can learn more about the Freedom to Roam campaign and sign the petition on the Ramblers’ website.  

Adding your voice to the campaign will show the government the importance of expanding the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act so many more of us can walk freely across more of England. 

Are you looking for more ways to help our environment? Check out our kit recycling services and learn how you can shop more consciously. 

Recycle My Gear: Recycle your old kit instead of throwing it away. 

Repair & Care: Restore your most-loved kit before replacing it with something new. 

Our Planet: Consider buying from brands that prioritise our planet. 

Book an in-store appointment: Visit us in-store and our experts can help find the perfect kit that will stay with you for years to come. 

We believe that everyone is happier outside, and that’s why we’re proud to be partners with The Ramblers. Learn more about our partnership and what we’re doing to help improve access to the great outdoors for everyone.