Rights of way – helping you discover East Sussex
Maps
Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps are the main maps used by walkers and riders. They show lanes, footpaths and rights of way, including ‘right to roam' access areas as defined by the Countryside Agency.
The Landranger series will be more useful for those on weekend breaks or travelling longer distances by car.
Explorer and Landranger maps can be borrowed from your local library. See our libraries page: Finding the map you want.
You can buy maps from the Ordnance Survey website:
The Definitive Map
We keep an official record of all rights of way on a document called the Definitive Map. This shows the legal line of rights of way.
The Definitive Map can be viewed free of charge during working hours at County Hall – contact the Rights of Way team, details at the foot of this page.
We are required to keep electronic copies of:
Who can go where?
A right of way is a route across privately owned land that the public are legally allowed to use. There are 3,500 kms of rights of way in East Sussex. Ordnance Survey maps mark the three different types of rights of way:
- footpaths – can only be used for walking
- bridleways – can also be used by horse riders and pedal cyclists
- byways – can be used by any type of wheeled vehicle, but are mainly used for walking, horse riding and cycling (they are sometimes referred to as Green Lanes).
Temporary path closures list
Occasionally, we have to temporarily close a public right of way to protect the safety of path users.
Open Access land
The 'right to roam' introduced in October 2005 gives you the chance to explore the countryside without having to stick to paths. It applies to downland, heathland and registered common land, as well as mountains and moors. The Open Access symbol (see right) is used to mark the boundaries of such land.
Find out more about the right to roam and view maps of open access land in England:
Future improvements
Report a problem
We are responsible for looking after the surface of a right of way, but the landowner is responsible for making sure it is unobstructed. Please report problems to our Rights of Way team, below.
For more advice on rights of way issues, contact the East Sussex Local Access Forum.
Volunteer in the countryside
Maintenance is carried out by volunteer groups and paid Countryside Management staff. Find out how to join these volunteers, train as a ranger or lead guided walks and cycle rides:
Countryside Code
Educational resources and information for land managers are included in the Natural England website:
Contact us
For further information or to report a problem with a right of way, contact the Rights of Way team.
