Countryside basics (the Code in plain English)
- Paths & crops – use marked paths; don’t trample crops or wildflower margins. If it’s muddy, go through the mud, not round it into the crop.
- Gates & fences – leave them as you find them (open or closed). If in doubt, close it.
- Parking – don’t block field entrances, verges or narrow lanes; big machines need to get through.
- Fires & BBQs – only where clearly allowed. Never on dry grass, heaths or dunes. Fully douse, lift, and take the mess away.
- Noise & drones – keep both down near livestock, homes and nature reserves.
- Wildlife & livestock – give them space; don’t feed them; move quietly. With cattle, let dogs off the lead if you feel threatened so you can separate safely.
- Leave no trace – if a bin’s full, take it with you. Simple.
Dogs (the short rules)
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Use leads when asked (signs, livestock, busy paths, wildlife hotspots).
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Control everywhere else – recall means recall, even around other dogs and people.
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Bag it. Bin it. Any public bin will do.
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Some beaches have seasonal dog zones – check local signs and maps.
Sharing space with farmers & rangers
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Give tractors, horses and cattle room; wait where it’s safe and let them pass.
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If stock are on the path, walk calmly and give them a wide berth.
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Report broken stiles, dangerous trees or escaped stock to the number on the sign, or to us if it’s on our land.
Why we care
We run places people come to for fresh air, big skies and wildlife. A little care from each of us keeps footpaths open, wildlife thriving, farmers farming, and everyone’s day better.
Seashore sense (coast & beach code)
- Tides & waves: Tide comes in fast on this coast. Check times before you set off and keep an eye on cut-off points like creeks, sandbanks and headlands. On lifeguarded beaches, follow lifeguards’ directions. If you get into difficulty: Float to Live.
- Know your flags (lifeguarded beaches):
- Red/Yellow: safest area – swim/bodyboard between them.
- Black/White chequered: surf/boardsports zone – no swimming.
- Red: danger – don’t enter the water.
- Cliffs, dunes & saltmarsh: Keep off unstable cliff edges; stick to signed routes. Dunes aren’t just sand piles – they’re living habitats. Use boardwalks and marked paths; no sliding,
- Digging trenches or fires. Saltmarsh looks firm… until it isn’t. Stay on paths/sea walls unless you know the ground.
- Birds, seals & other wildlife: Give nesting birds and seal pups plenty of space; if they’re watching you, you’re too close. Dogs on leads near colonies and roosts. Never touch or lift a pup — call the local wildlife rescue if you’re worried.
- Rockpools & foraging (go gentle): Lift stones carefully, look, then put them back as you found them. Wet hands for crabs and fish; keep creatures in water and for a short time only. Take only what you’ll actually eat, never uproot seaweed, and always follow local byelaws and protected-area signage.
- Watercraft: Launch only where allowed. Keep clear of swimming zones and follow speed/etiquette rules. Look out for SUPs, kayakers and swimmers.
Fires, BBQs & stoves
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If it’s not clearly permitted, don’t light it. Dunes, heath and reedbeds can go up frighteningly fast.
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If permitted: raise BBQs off the ground, have water/sand ready, and fully extinguish before you leave. No hot ash in bins.
Safety quick-tips by the sea
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Choose lifeguarded beaches when you can.
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Carry a phone in a waterproof pouch; in an emergency call 999 (Coastguard).
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Caught by a rip current? Don’t swim against it; float, then swim parallel to the shore to escape, and signal for help.
The Countryside Code
The Countryside Code is supported by Natural England.
Protect The Environment
- Take your litter home – leave no trace of your visit
- Do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can
- Always keep dogs under control and insight
- Dog poo – bag it and bin it – any public waste bin will do
- Care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance
- Enjoy The Outdoors
- Check your route and local conditions
- Plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do
- Enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory
Leave No Trace
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Be Considerate of others
- Respect Farm animals and wildlife
- Travel and camp on durable ground
- Leave what you find
- Dispose of waste properly
- Minimise the effects of fire
The Caravan Code
The Caravan
- a) Whether trailer or motor caravan, it is a vehicle designed for caravanning. Its appearance and colour are appropriate and do not offend public opinion.
- b) It is regularly serviced so that it is safe in all respects when touring on the road, and on-site.
On The Road
- a) The selection of trailer caravan and towing vehicles allows adequate performance in line with the Towing Code, namely: (i) The actual laden weight of the caravan should be kept as low as possible and should never normally exceed the kerb weight of the towing vehicle. (ii) The engine is powerful enough to keep the outfit at a speed, particularly on hills, that does not baulk other traffic. (iii) The caravan is carefully loaded to provide good balance and avoid instability.
- b) The caravan complies with all Road Traffic Acts and other relevant Regulations, in particular, that there should be an adequate view to the rear of the caravan.
- c) Where the caravan is a trailer towed by a vehicle, it is insured against third party risks. This must cover not only the caravan when attached to the towing vehicle, but also when detached.
- d) Particular attention is paid to those sections of the Highway Code relevant to trailer caravans. (i) To cause the minimum inconvenience to other traffic, the caravanner observes traffic to his rear and ensures that every opportunity is offered for other vehicles to overtake. This includes the need always to allow space in front of the outfit for faster traffic to pull into with safety (and never to have two or more outfits bunched together), and on narrow roads to pull in and halt at a safe place to allow following traffic to overtake. (ii) To carry out normal road manoeuvres with increased care to take account of the length of the outfit, the vehicle’s reduced acceleration and longer stopping distances when braking. This requires greater anticipation, early signalling of intentions, and a very careful watch of overtaken traffic, particularly cyclists, before pulling in again to the nearside of the road.
On Any Site
The Member:
- a) Pitches on private land with the express permission of the owner.
- b) Places the caravan where it will not interfere with the convenience or enjoyment of others.
- c) Avoids damage to turf by digging holes only when absolutely necessary and replacing turf where possible and by considerate use of the vehicle.
- d) Disposes of any rubbish only by means provided on the site. If no receptacles are provided, as on some small farm sites, rubbish is taken home for disposal, or to any other recognised disposal point that has space.
- e) For touring, other than on sites equipped with toilets, will carry his own sanitary equipment (usually chemical closet and related fluid) and dispose of the contents only at the point provided for that purpose. If burial is necessary, as perhaps on private property, this will not be done in the vicinity of any watercourse.
- f) Allows no wastewater from the caravan to foul the ground, but ensures that suitable receptacles are connected to the waste pipes to collect the waste, and the receptacle emptied as necessary. In the few instances where no disposal point is provided, minimum fouling is achieved by distributing the water over a considerable area, as along a hedge.
- g) Allows neither children nor animals to spoil the enjoyment of others, by keeping them under control.
- h) Drives slowly and quietly when on site.
- i) Respects the privacy and peace of others at all times by keeping mechanical, instrumental and vocal noise to a minimum.
- j) Ensures that any laundry outside the caravan is displayed as discretely as possible.
- k) Keeps the pitch neat and tidy with no loose equipment outside the caravan beyond what is necessary or appropriate and on departure leaves it as clean as, or cleaner than it was on arrival.
- l) Observes the Countryside Code relating to water cleanliness, fire dangers, litter, public paths, gates, control of dogs, damage to crops, hedges, walls, trees and plants, livestock and wildlife
The Seashore Code
Show Respect For Seashore Creatures
Seashore creatures are fascinating and have found special ways of living in their environment. They have to adapt to survive the rigours of wave-action, exposure and predation. Some have shells for protection, but many need to hide under rocks, seaweed or in the sand.
Exploring The Seashore Is Fun, But Please Remember:
- Leave animals where you find them.
- Take care when touching soft-bodied animals - they are very delicate.
- Carefully lift and replace any rocks you may have moved - there are animals underneath which need them for shelter.
- Leave attached seaweed in place - there is plenty lying loose on the strand line.
- Do not trample through rock pools.
Take Photos, Not Living Animals
- Shells come in all shapes, sizes and colours. Many still contain living animals, even if they do look 'dead'. If you want to collect shells, please make sure they are empty before taking them home.
If you want to buy a souvenir:
- Buy a photograph, book or poster of colourful marine creatures rather than shells, coral, starfish and urchins or other 'marine curios'. Remember 'curios' would almost certainly have been alive, when collected. If we don't buy them, the shops won't sell them.
Avoid Disturbing Wildlife
You can see many animals at their best when they are behaving naturally. This is true for animals such as seals, otters and seabirds, as well as rock pool animals. To avoid disturbing wildlife:
- It is best to watch from a distance, through binoculars if possible, especially if the animals are nesting, or pupping in the case of seals.
- Keep your dog clear of birds and other animals.
- Remember, it is now illegal to disturb or harass many species of birds and animals.
Take Your Rubbish Home With You
Beach rubbish is unsightly and can be dangerous to sea creatures. Much of the litter on our shores comes from tourists, shipping, fishing vessels and sewage outfalls. You can help to reduce this problem when visiting the coast:
- Take your rubbish home - burying it is no solution.
- Keep your dog from fouling the beach.
- Report canisters or drums that may be washed up on the beach, but do not touch them.
- Take part in BeachWatch - the annual beach clean and survey organised by the Marine Conservation Society, or Adopt-a-Beach - a regular survey of beach litter.
- Bag It and Bin It, Please Don't Flush It - bag and bin all plastic bathroom waste such as cotton bud sticks.
Watch Where You Go
Beaches and sand dunes are prone to erosion and easily damaged by people and vehicles. To help protect the coast:
- Keep to established paths and dune boardwalks.
- Park in designated car parks and keep access to footpaths clear.
- Do not use beaches or dunes for scrambling motorcycles or other 'off-road' vehicles.
- If you dig holes in the beach, please fill them up again.
- Leave pebbles and rocks on the beach rather than collect them for your garden.
Be Careful!
All cliffs are unstable and potentially dangerous, yet they are an impressive sight and from the cliff top it is possible to enjoy a panoramic view of the coastline. Cliffs also provide a very specialised habitat for the plants and animals that live on them.
Take Care Near Cliffs:
- Remember that it is dangerous to climb up or go near the top or bottom of a cliff.
- Please don't throw or push anything over the edge of cliffs. As well as being dangerous, it can increase the rate of cliff erosion and kill or disturb wildlife.
- Play safe on the beach too: Check tide times to avoid being cut off. Keep away from soft sand and mud - it is easy to get stuck!
mYminiBreak Codes of Conduct
General
- The warden named by the organisation is to be responsible for the conduct of all individual members or non-members and for ensuring that those attending comply with all codes.
- The warden must ensure that all members and non-members are aware of The Countryside Code, The Caravan Code, and The Seashore Code.
- The organisation and all members and non-members who use the site will take reasonable steps to ensure that the siting of units (a caravan, motor home, tent, or trailer tent) does not unduly interfere with the activities of local people, their privacy, or their enjoyment of their property. They will also ensure that the siting of units does not interfere with the enjoyment by others of the landscape, natural beauty, or nature conservation value of the area, particularly in areas designated for their landscape or wildlife qualities.
- The organisation will undertake not to over-use any venue and will consider carefully before holding successive meetings and ensure against being a nuisance.
- The organisation will take reasonable steps to minimise disturbance to local people and will investigate and deal with the causes of any complaints made.
- Care should be taken not to damage the site or the surrounding locality. Trees, fences, buildings, equipment wildlife, and farm animals should all be respected.
- Domestic animals belonging to members of the organisation will be kept on a lead and under close control. They will not be allowed to run loose on the site or cause disturbance to local people farm animals or wildlife. They will be exercised away from units and those parts of the site used for communal activities. Any mess will be cleared up.
- The responsible person will identify open space suitable for the playing of games that might otherwise intrude upon or constitute a danger or annoyance to others on or around the site.
- Noise should be kept to a minimum for the comfort of others on the site as well as people who live or work nearby.
Road Safety:
- The responsible person will take steps to ensure that travel from major roads to a proposed site is not likely to cause undue disruption or difficulties for other road users. Access to the site must be suitable for the number and likely size of units attending the meeting. The arrival and departure of units should be arranged to minimise disruption to other road users.
- The speed of vehicles on the site should be restricted to 5 mph.
Spacing and Density
- For health and safety purposes emergency vehicles must be able to gain access to any unit on the site. As such, units should be well spaced and sited so they do not restrict access to, or exit from, any other unit or the site in general.
- Where a site is being used by both caravans and tents they must be sited entirely separate from each other for health & safety reasons. However, this does not necessarily mean segregation. If the layout of the field does not allow for separate lines of tents, it is permissible to continue a line of caravans/motor homes with a line of tents, but they must be sited en-bloc and not interspersed. Trailer tents are classified as tents and must be sited accordingly. Children’s “pup-tents” may be erected alongside the parents’ unit and should be considered as part of the unit for spacing purposes.
- Open fires and barbecues are allowable but fire precautions must be implemented, "a bucket of water must be kept alongside the bbq/campfire permission must be obtained from the Warden. Where permission is given for open fires or barbecues, they will be sited on open ground, away from units, vehicles, awnings, and any other structures.
- A fire extinguisher approved to British Standards Institute and/or Fire Officers Certificate standards will be held on-site.
Chemical Toilets and Waste Water Disposal:
- Organisations will act responsibly when disposing of the contents of chemical toilets and wastewater and take full account of the need to safeguard water supplies and prevent the pollution of rivers and streams.
- On-site disposal of the contents of chemical toilets and wastewater will be in accordance with arrangements agreed with the organisation. Neither will be allowed to foul the ground. If there is any doubt about the disposal of waste, the organisation or, if appropriate, the warden will be requested for guidance.
- Organisations should ensure that refuse is either taken home or disposed of in accordance with on-site arrangements. The warden should will police disposal of waste, recycling should be used with all waste items, separating up items appropriately disposal of waste is for items relevant to consumption only, all recycled items mush be condensed before being recycled i.e. flatten cans, remove lids from plastic bottles, flatten them and return the lid, flatten all cardboard and rinse out food containers before recycling them. no throwaway tents/mattresses/windbreaks are allowable.
- The organisation will use every endeavour not to camp on any site for more than 42 consecutive days or 60 days in any 12 consecutive months. The organisation will also endeavour not to camp on any site being used for camping by other exempted organisations if, by doing so, the use of this site would be taken over these limits. This will help avoid the overuse of sites, particularly in popular areas.
