Published: February 18, 2026
Exmoor National Park Authority has released its Rights of Way and Access Annual Report 2024–25, outlining the scale, importance, and recent challenges of managing one of the UK’s most extensive public access networks.
Public access remains a core priority in the new National Park Management Plan, which sets ambitious targets to keep at least 80% of Exmoor’s rights of way “open and easy to use,” while expanding opportunities for cycling, riding, walking, and green travel. With almost 1,000 km of public rights of way and 18,000 hectares of open access land, the National Park continues to offer exceptional opportunities for recreation and wellbeing.
Tourism data underlines the value of this network: in 2024 visitors contributed an estimated £242 million to the local economy, with walking remaining a key motivation for trips to the area.
The report also reflects on recent financial pressures that led to reduced maintenance budgets and the temporary suspension of the annual report in 2022/23 and 2023/24. Despite these challenges, strengthened support from local councils has helped maintain high public satisfaction and safeguard Exmoor’s leadership role in access management.
📄 Read the full Rights of Way and Access Annual Report 2024–25 to explore the detailed statistics, progress, and priorities for the year ahead.