Where can I find bridleways?
When people are moving to a new area, they often wonder where they can ride. This article attempts to give some advice.

Is there a map with all the bridleways on it?
No. Rights of way can come into being without any official body (like a council) even knowing. Others are from formal creation or diversion processes. There is no comprehensive record of bridleways. When the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 was passed, it was intended that the definitive map would become as definitive as possible, so that very few paths would be missing, and these were to be swept up in 5 yearly reviews. However, the local authorities charged by Parliament with the statutory duty of keeping the definitive maps up to date did so poorly, that few users now regard the definitive map as anything more than a guide to the paths that have been recorded, knowing that there are many that have not yet been recorded.

You can inspect copies of the definitive map at the council offices and many public libraries. Telephone before going to ensure they have it available!

What about Ordnance Survey maps?

It is definitely worth buying a Landranger or Explorer map for the area in which you are interested. The OS take their information from the local authorities who maintain the definitive map or who make diversions or creations. It is therefore likely that any map bought will only show some of the bridleways recorded by the council when the map was last revised.

One reason for buying a map is that when you look at the definitive map, you can correct your copy of the OS map. This will mean your map is as good as any information recorded by the council. Don't forget to ask the council for notes of any changes make by diversion or creation orders that are not yet shown on the definitive maps.

Explorer maps also show some permissive paths.

Visit your county page on the Ride UK web site to buy maps for your area.

Is there any other information on riding routes?

The other main contemporary source of information that exists is the 'List of Streets'. The highway authority (the county council in two-tier areas or the unitary authority otherwise) have a duty to maintain a list of all highways maintainable at public expense. In law, this should include footpaths and bridleways as well as unsurfaced roads (watch out since some landowners take the fact that they're unsurfaced to mean they can encourage them to become overgrown and then get people to forget that they were ever there). This document has to be made available for public inspection, but it's best to make an appointment first with the council. And it's a written list not a map, so sometimes it is difficult to see which routes are which. Many are good though.

You should also ask the council to tell you which applications for bridleways or byways they have in their backlog of paths to be investigated. There is a caveat here: the fact that someone has applied for a path to be recorded does not necessarily mean that it will be: someone else may produce evidence to show that the allegation of highway status was wrong. But it will give you a guide to paths that may be bridleways and which you can then check with local riders.

Local riders in your new area may also have advice. They will be able to show you where they ride. These paths may be bridleways that haven't yet been recorded by the council, or they may be paths for which the landowner has given permission.

I ride a route that's not recorded!
If, when you look at the definitive map, you find that it doesn't show a route you always thought was a bridleway, then it is more than possible that an application for recording should be made. The British Horse Society would be pleased to discuss the path with you and advise whether the path sounds like a bridleway or not. The Society will also make any formal applications for recording, if you don't wish to yourself.