10 ways to be great outdoors this August bank holiday
Whether it’s a walk in the woods, a picnic with friends and family, or soaking up vitamin sea on the beach, many of us will be getting outdoors and enjoying the countryside this bank holiday weekend.
From rolling hills and winding paths to beautiful beaches and floral fields, Wales is brimming with wonderful and rugged scenery waiting to be explored.
Here’s a list of 10 things from the Countryside Code that you need to keep in mind when enjoying the outdoors:
- Plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do: avoid the bank holiday crowds by keeping away from honeypot sites and remaining flexible in case you need to change your plans. If you’re thinking of camping, book ahead at a campsite or ask the landowner for permission.
- Do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can: no one wants to be responsible for a devastating wildfire so leave the BBQ at home and enjoy a picnic instead.
- Take your litter home - leave no trace of your visit: don’t be a rubbish visitor. Bring a bag to take your rubbish, ice lolly wrappers and food waste away with you. If a public bin is full, don’t leave your rubbish next to it. Litter not only spoils the beauty of the countryside, it can be dangerous to animals and cause a wildfire risk too.
- Follow local signs and keep to marked paths unless wider access is available: familiarise yourself with the signs and symbols of the countryside, and always keep a look out for them. Plan your route and bring or download a map. Don’t rely on Wi-Fi or a strong phone signal when you’re out and about.
- Be nice, say hello, share the space: spread some happiness this summer and say ‘hello’ or ‘shwmae’ to those you see. Just a simple one or two words could transform somebody’s day (it’s actually in the Countryside Code - we are a friendly bunch in Wales!).
- Be considerate to those living in, working in, and enjoying the countryside: respect everyone and everything you come across in the countryside, especially the farmers working all hours – no bank holiday for them! Care for the nature that lives there too by not disturbing plants and animals.
- Leave gates and property as you find them: whether on your own or in a group, make sure the last person knows how to leave the gates. Farmers often close gates to keep animals in or leave them open to give access to food and water. You could even turn this into a game to keep kids entertained – who is the gatekeeper on your walk?
- Do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking: only park in marked, safe areas and make sure you’re not leaving your vehicle in the way of important access for farmers, emergency vehicles and people living there.
- Always keep your dogs under control and in sight: the countryside, parks and the coast can be great places to exercise your dog but you need to consider other people and animals, especially ground-nesting birds and sheep. Keep your dog under effective control, on a lead, or in sight to make sure it stays away from wildlife, livestock, horses and other people unless invited.
- With dog poo - bag it and bin it in any public waste bin or take it home: no one wants their bank holiday spoiled by a dog poo that’s been left behind so don’t put your foot in it - always clean up after your dog to prevent illness in people, livestock and wildlife. Never leave bags of dog poo around, even if you intend to pick them up later. Deodorised bags and containers can make bags of dog poo easier to carry. If you cannot find a public waste bin, you should take it home and use your own bin.
This advice and more can be found in the Countryside Code. Find out more at www.naturalresources.wales/countryside-code