Countryside Code

Celebrating five years of the People and Nature Surveys: What we’ve learned about England’s love for the outdoors 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves

By Sheldon Allen, Project Manager, Natural England’s People and Nature Survey Team  Nature and happiness – what's the connection?  What makes you feel happy? For most people in England, it’s time spent outdoors. Our People and Nature Survey for England (PaNS) …

Wildfires: Nature’s role in resisting the spark

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Biodiversity, Countryside Code, Landscape, Natural England, Nature, Nature Recovery, Wildfire
Fire stops at a wet gully edge in Dove Stone 2018. Credit: Jon Bird (RSPB)

Updated (3 October 2025) By Sallie Bailey, Natural England’s Chief Scientist This year we have witnessed wildfires ravaging England’s uplands and heaths on a historic scale, with prolonged hot and dry weather providing the ideal conditions for blazes lasting weeks. …

Happy holidays for you and your dog

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Mental health and wellbeing, National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Nature, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Uncategorized, Wildlife
A man sits on an outdoor picnic table seat, facing the camera and smiling. His dog sits on the table top, next to him, also looking at the camera. In the background there are green hills, and cloudy sky.

By Steve Jenkinson, Access and Countryside Advisor to the Kennel Club I travel all over England with my dog Teal, working for the Kennel Club and Natural England to make great places for people and nature – and that includes …

Nature Connectedness: Creating a network of champions across Cumbria

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Education, Landscapes and access, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Nature Recovery, Parks, trails and nature reserves

There has been a significant decline in the amount of time children and young people spend playing outside, and alongside this we have seen declines in mental and physical health. Access to, and relationships with nature can play an important …

Shaun the Sheep: a visit to Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Education, Landscapes and access, Mental health and wellbeing, National Nature Reserve, Natural England, Nature Recovery, Parks, trails and nature reserves, wildlife and farming

By Stephanie Wilson, Reserve Manager, Thames Solent Team at Natural England Here at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR), conservation grazing is one of many management tools we use to look after the site. You could argue having a conservation …

Reclaiming the Narrative: Celebrating Heritage and Connection to Nature

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Connecting People with Nature, Countryside Code, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Parks, trails and nature reserves

Michelle Mangal, Senior Manager, Connecting People with Nature team As we celebrate Black History Month this October, the theme “Reclaiming the Narrative: Reclaiming Connections with Nature,” feels more relevant than ever. At Natural England, we’re proud to highlight the fantastic …

The Countryside Code: CBBC Newsround

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Coast and access, Countryside Code, Education, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Parks, trails and nature reserves
In the image, CBBC Newsround presenter, Shanequa Paris, stands in front of a small group of primary school children, who are sitting on a bench. One child is sat within a wheelchair. The children wear high visibility jackets. Around them, the camera and sound crew hold cameras and boom mics. All are within a small park and discussing the Countryside Code.

By Bruce Cutts Senior Advisor, Natural England The Countryside Code is a guide to the outdoors. Whether you’re in the countryside, enjoying the coast, our waterways or an urban park, it’s there to help guide all of us through nature. …

Wildfire: Why following the Countryside Code is essential in reducing the risk of fires in the countryside

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Countryside Code, Farming, Landscapes and access, Mental health and wellbeing, Natural England, Parks, trails and nature reserves, Peat, Protected sites and species, Site of Special Scientific Interest
Fire burning corn fields

  Wildfire. The term conjures up images of raging fires and smouldering forests, something we would usually expect to see on television from international news stations, caused by freak weather events. Unfortunately, so-called wildfires are all too common in England …