It is not a "right to roam" everywhere in the countryside; but a right to access specific mapped land for particular purposes.
In brief...
To go where?
New access land, which is common land, land mapped as open country, and land dedicated by its owner as access land.
In Monmouthshire, outside of the National Park this is about 150 hectares, mainly 30 rural commons. In addition there will be large areas of Forestry Commission land dedicated over the next year, although all of this land is already open for public use. Within the National Park in Monmouthshire there are extensive areas of new access land (about 4400 hectares).
Access land is shown on new OS 1:25,000 Explorer Maps and on the interactive countryside access maps on the Countryside Access Wales website (see useful links)
The new logo denoting access land
To do what?
To go ON FOOT onto access land for open-air recreation. The right includes activites such as climbing, running, birdwatching and picnicking. Dogs must be on a lead between 1 March and 31 July and at all times near farm animals. However there may sometimes be certain restrictions to access to avoid local problems for land managers and wildlife. Restrictions are shown on the new national access website.
For both simple and more detailed guidance on rights and responsibilities in the countryside please visit The Countryside Code.
For more information on restrictions and exclusions and who deals with which aspect of the new right in Monmouthshire click here.
For more information on open access in Wales visit the interactive countryside access maps on the Countryside Access Wales website (see useful links); and in England: www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk