The PaddlerUK magazine March 2015 issue 1 | Page 40

ThePaddlerUK 40
Riverside walking, boating, fishing,
birdwatching, paddling, swimming and
photography: some of the many
leisure activities enjoyed
harmoniously in, on and beside the
waters of Wales.
To some, this may sound too good to
be true; most would be surprised to
hear that responsible enjoyment of
the waters of Wales is not freely
available to all. Others, believing that
they have exclusive rights to enjoy
the water, are outraged at the
prospect of public access to water
and waterside for recreation.

Why is there a problem?

Wales and England are almost unique in Europe and
across the world in basing their countryside
management strategy on a presumption against
access, contrary to the principle under English law of
“That which is not forbidden is permitted.”
The current legal position is unclear, and this can lead
to conflict between users and/or landowners, whose

TW Cubbon discussed with locals a
proposed trip down the Dee from
Bala to the sea, and the

only objection
was that a canoe would be more
suitable than his rowing boat!

Text/photos by:
Andy Quick
Bob Mackay
Pam Bell