Public Rights of Way (footpaths and bridle ways)

Background

These maps were drawn up under The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act, 1949, which required county councils to draw up maps of footpaths and bridleways. The council consulted with the district and parish councils and drew up draft maps. These were then made available for public viewing for 4 months, giving people the opportunity to object to what was or was not on the maps. The county council then decided whether the objections were to be accepted. Appeals could be made to the minister of Housing and Local Government. A provisional map was then produced, which was also made available for viewing. Further appeals were made to the Quarter Sessions court. After these appeals were heard, definitive maps were drawn up.

What information will they contain?

The maps show the existence and status of rights of way across the countryside and through urban areas. The related files give details of the various objections.

(The records of the Gloucestershire Area Ramblers Association (D12676) also contain much information on footpaths, trails and other rights of ways).

How do I find the records?

Draft and definitive maps have been retained by the highways section of the county council as these are updated regularly. See https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/prow.

The provisional maps and other related records are held under the reference K687. K687/3 is the reference for the provisional maps. They are arranged by rural and urban councils. If you do not know which council covered the area you are interested in, please ask a member of staff. K687/3/24 - 41 are the schedules which accompany these maps.

K687/1 contains the original submissions by the district councils, and K687/2 contains the objections to the draft footpath maps (these are sorted by council, but each objection has its own file).

You can view a list of records in these collections on our online catalogue, which can be found on our website at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/archives. Type the references given above into the Quick Search box as your search term. You can refine and sort your search, for example by date. For more guidance on using our online catalogue please see the Help page and FAQs. Or you can watch our short YouTube tutorial.

Want to know more?

For more information on Public Rights of Way see the National Archives’ research guide, available at https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/public-rights-of-way/.

You may also be interested in Ordnance Survey maps, tithe maps and inclosure maps. You can see images of these and other key maps on the Know Your Place website.

Look at our Ordinance survey research guide for more information.