Ramblers
Ramblers successes
At its heart, the Ramblers is a campaigning organisation. It was born out of the desire of ordinary people to gain access to the wild and beautiful landscapes of Britain. It grew and was sustained through a focus on the unique path network in England and Wales, and a desire to see the greatest level of access possible in Scotland. At the same time, the Ramblers established a network of local groups, each conducting a programme of led walks. As we move into a new phase of the Ramblers’ life this campaigning drive is as strong as ever – both in improving the walking environment and in making walking accessible to more people.
Volunteers – the heart of the organisation at the heart of walking
As well as being a campaigning organisation, the Ramblers is also a voluntary organisation. Estimates vary, but it is safe to say that in excess of 12,000 people volunteer on a regular basis for the Ramblers. This vast unpaid force is the key to our success. Whether they are leading a walk, installing a gate, conducting a site visit, attending a public inquiry, or planning a route – each and every one of them is contributing to our success. On our 75th anniversary we say a hearty “thank you” to them all.
Our walking environment
It has been the Ramblers, like no other organisation, that has been the driving force behind the campaign for greater access to our countryside. Whether that campaigning work focussed on short local footpaths, or vast swathes of moorland, the desire has been the same – to increase the amount of accessible land for the public’s enjoyment. In Scotland we now have some of the most extensive access rights in the world. In England and Wales, we have the unique network of public paths – a web of minor highways unparalleled anywhere in the world. And, thanks to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, vast areas of open access land have been opened up for all to enjoy.
The campaign continues, most notably on coastal access. We are on the verge of achieving a further piece of historic legislation – to create a coastal national trail around England. This will link up with a similar route around Wales. For paths our job is never-ending. On a daily basis in locations across England and Wales we defend the network and work with others to see it improved. On open access we continue to campaign to ensure the spirit of the Scottish legislation is delivered in reality, and in England and Wales we are readying ourselves for the decadal review of the access maps.
Making walking accessible to all
Our local groups are at the front line of promoting walking, with a collective national programme of thousands of walks each week. New groups are being established at an ever-increasing rate – some along traditional geographical location-based lines, others to appeal to particular interests. National events such as the Festival of Winter Walks, and its predecessors such as Family Rambling Day, play a key part in promoting our activities to a wider audience.
The Ramblers is stepping up its work to reach those who have previously not walked. Pilot projects such as ‘Walking Out’ led the organisation to a successful lottery bid to launch the Get Walking Keep Walking programme, now operating in 5 locations in England. In Wales initiatives such as Lonc a Chlonc and Trenau Trên have brought more people into the joy of walking. The Bums off Seats programme in Fife is just one example of the activities run by Ramblers Scotland to get people walking. As we move forward as an organisation our work in this area continues to grow, with new schemes in place across the three nations, and many more in the pipeline.
Some notable campaign successes
- 1949 – National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act
- 1968 – Countryside Act
- 1981 – Wildlife and Countryside Act
- 1990 – Rights of Way Act
- 2000 – Countryside and Rights of Way Act
- 2006 – Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act
- 2009 – Marine and Coastal Access Act
