The Country Code

Treat the countryside as you would treat your home!

Be safe – plan ahead and follow any signs!

Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go. For example, your rights to go onto some areas of open land may be restricted while work is carried out for safety reasons, or during breeding seasons. Follow advice and local signs, and be prepared for the unexpected.

Leave gates and property as you find them!

Please respect the working life of the countryside, as our actions can affect people’s livelihoods, our heritage, and the safety and welfare of animals and ourselves.

Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home!

We have a responsibility to protect our countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees.

Keep dogs under close control!

The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.

Consider other people!

Showing consideration and respect for other people makes the countryside a pleasant environment for everyone – at home, at work and at leisure.

Byelaws

There are several byelaws relating to Country Parks and Picnic Sites, made by the Council under section 41 of the Countryside Act 1968, they are enforceable and should be observed. They are summarised for Wynyard Woodland Park as follows:

Vehicles

Motor cycles, motor vehicles or any other mechanically propelled vehicle are not allowed on the site other than in the car park areas, this excludes invalid carriages. Cycles are allowed on the cycle paths around the site.

Swimming

Swimming or bathing in any waterway or pond on the site is forbidden.

Dogs

Dogs must be kept under proper control and restraint at all times and prevented from causing annoyance to any person or from worrying or disturbing any animals or birds.

Camping

Tents, vehicles, caravans or any other structure used for the purpose of camping is forbidden.

Wildlife Protection

Intentionally killing, injuring, taking or disturbing any animal, bird or fish is expressly forbidden including hunting, shooting, fishing, setting traps or nets and the laying of snares.

Fires

The intentional lighting of fires or careless discarding of a lit match is an offence as is the use of camping stoves. BBQs are permitted in the prescribed area.

Boats

The operation or sailing of a boat on any waterway or pond is not allowed.

Watercourses and Pollution

Knowingly causing or permitting the flow of any drain or watercourse on the park to be obstructed or diverted is an offence as is the opening, shutting or operating of any sluice or similar apparatus on the park. Intentionally, carelessly or negligently fouling or polluting any waterway is also an offence.

Gates

Having opened any gate on the park it is an offence not to close it where notices request.

Climbing

Climbing on walls, fences, trees, barriers, gates, railings, posts or other structure is not allowed.

Trading

The selling, offering for sale, letting or hiring of any commodity or article is forbidden.

Grazing

Turning out animals or permitting them to graze on the park is forbidden.

Removal of Structure

The removal or displacing of any barrier, railing, post, sign, seat or any or any part of any structure or ornament is forbidden.

Obstruction

Intentionally obstructing any council officer in their duties, any council contractor executing a contract or other person properly using the park is an offence.

Any council officer executing their duties or contractor properly executing a contract are not bound by these laws.