Three-Quarters of England's Riverbanks Remain Inaccessible

Published: 25 July 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.
Public access to England’s rivers has come under renewed scrutiny after new research revealed that almost three-quarters of the country’s riverbanks remain inaccessible to the public. Campaigners argue that, despite growing awareness of the importance of nature for physical and mental wellbeing, millions of people are still unable to reach rivers safely and legally, prompting fresh calls for the UK government to introduce a legal right of responsible access to waterways.

The findings, released by the Right to Roam campaign, paint a striking picture of the country’s river network. According to the analysis, approximately 71% of riverbanks across England’s major rivers and tributaries have no adjoining public access or recognised public right of way within 100 metres of the water. The study examined 89 river catchments stretching from the far south-west of Cornwall to the River Tweed on the English-Scottish border, highlighting widespread restrictions regardless of whether urban or rural areas were included.

Campaigners say the figures demonstrate that while rivers are often regarded as public natural assets, access to them is largely controlled by private land ownership. In many parts of England, people wishing to walk beside rivers, swim, paddle or simply enjoy the water’s edge often encounter barriers ranging from fences and private estates to a lack of legal footpaths.

The issue has become increasingly significant as Britain experiences more frequent periods of extreme heat linked to climate change. During recent summers, rivers have become popular destinations for families seeking affordable outdoor recreation and relief from soaring temperatures. However, without legal access routes, many communities are effectively excluded from using nearby waterways.

Lewis Winks, an environmental social scientist with the Right to Roam campaign who led the research, described the findings as evidence of a longstanding imbalance between public interest and private land ownership.

He argued that access to rivers should be considered a basic public right rather than a privilege available only in selected locations. According to Winks, ensuring people can safely reach rivers is becoming increasingly important as climate change continues to produce longer and more intense heatwaves across the UK.

The campaign has urged Environment Secretary Angela Eagle to move forward with a long-promised consultation on countryside access. Campaigners want the government to include proposals for responsible public access to both land and water within an upcoming Green Paper on access to nature, before ultimately introducing legislation through the next King’s Speech.

Unlike Scotland, where responsible access rights are protected under legislation, England operates under a far more limited system centred on designated public rights of way. As a result, large sections of rivers remain inaccessible despite flowing through landscapes of significant environmental and recreational value.

The report also notes that there is currently no clearly defined statutory public right to enter the water on approximately 96% of rivers in England and Wales. This legal uncertainty means activities such as open-water swimming, paddling and kayaking frequently become points of dispute between recreation groups and private landowners. Reservoirs, lakes and many inland waterways are similarly treated as private spaces where public access is restricted.

Supporters of greater access believe improving legal rights would encourage healthier lifestyles while strengthening public support for river conservation.

Kate Rew, founder of the Outdoor Swimming Society, said she hoped that within the next two decades England would have healthier rivers that people could freely reach to swim, paddle, walk and enjoy responsibly.

She argued that regular contact with nature improves both physical and emotional wellbeing but also creates stronger public support for environmental protection. According to Rew, people are far more likely to campaign for cleaner rivers when they are able to experience them directly rather than being excluded from them.

Environmental groups have repeatedly linked public engagement with improved conservation outcomes, suggesting that communities who regularly visit rivers are more likely to support pollution reduction, habitat restoration and long-term ecological protection.

The research also raises questions about the effectiveness of recent government initiatives aimed at increasing access to nature.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has committed to creating nine new national river walks across England. However, Right to Roam argues that the first announced project along the River Mersey has not significantly expanded public access beyond existing routes.

Campaigners say that while new walking trails are welcome, they do little to address the broader problem if they fail to provide meaningful access to the river itself.

Regional differences revealed by the research also highlight the uneven distribution of access across England.

In the Middle Severn catchment in Shropshire, around 90% of riverbanks reportedly lack public access, making it one of the least accessible river systems examined. By contrast, the New Forest catchment recorded approximately 49% inaccessible riverbank, representing one of the better-performing areas while still leaving nearly half the riverside unavailable to the public.

The report also highlights what campaigners describe as misleading examples of long-distance walking routes. Several nationally recognised trails carry the names of famous rivers despite spending considerable distances away from the water.

One example is part of the Severn Way between Shrewsbury and Telford, where sections reportedly divert hundreds of metres from the River Severn itself because public access beside the river is unavailable. Similarly, much of the 44-mile Test Way, named after Hampshire’s internationally renowned chalk stream, does not actually follow the river for substantial stretches.

As debate over river access grows, safety organisations continue to urge caution around open water. Rescue services have repeatedly warned that rivers can present hidden dangers, including strong currents, cold-water shock and underwater hazards, particularly during periods of hot weather when more people seek places to cool off.

Government officials insist that improving public access to nature remains part of broader environmental policy.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the government remains focused on restoring nature while increasing opportunities for people to enjoy green spaces. Officials highlighted ongoing commitments including nine new national river walks, the planned coast-to-coast walking route across northern England and continued development of the 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path.

For campaigners, however, these projects represent only part of the solution. They argue that without broader legal reforms granting responsible access to rivers and surrounding land, the majority of England’s waterways will remain effectively out of reach for millions of people.

As climate pressures increase and public demand for accessible natural spaces continues to grow, the debate over who can enjoy England’s rivers appears set to become an increasingly important environmental and political issue.