Shut out of the countryside: how income still decides who gets outside

You might think walking is one of the simplest, most accessible ways to spend time outdoors. But in reality, where you live and how much you earn can make a big difference to whether that’s even possible.

This weekend (25 - 26 April), campaigners are gathering in Hayfield, Derbyshire, to mark a key moment in the fight for public access to the countryside. On 24 April, 1932, working-class walkers challenged restrictions on access to open countryside in the Peak District. The protest became a catalyst for the right-to-roam movement, helping pave the way for National Parks and wider public access.

But nearly a century on, new research suggests that for millions of people, especially those on low incomes, getting out into nature is still far from equal.

A ‘web of barriers’

Research from the walkers charity Ramblers, shows that while 84% of people believe access to nature should be a basic right, millions remain effectively excluded.

If you’re on a low income, you’re much less likely to live near green space you can easily use. That lack of access isn’t just inconvenient, it’s linked to a 19-year gap in healthy life expectancy across Britain.

And it’s not just about distance. It’s about a whole mix of barriers that can make getting outside feel difficult or unrealistic.

We spoke to Ramblers about how financial hardship plays a central role in limiting people’s ability access nature.

When ‘free’ isn’t actually free

Walking doesn’t cost anything in theory, but in practice, it often does.

If you don’t have decent green space nearby, you may need to pay for transport just to reach somewhere you can walk.

“The cost of travel can be a significant barrier to accessing the outdoors, particularly for people on lower incomes or those living in areas with limited nearby green space,” the Ramblers said.

“For some, there is simply no option to walk locally without incurring a cost, while others may have lost access to previously free routes due to blocked or poorly maintained paths, forcing them to travel further afield.”

Time is another hidden pressure:

“If you’re working a lot and have to travel to access green space, that might feel out of reach, or not be a priority, even though it could help with your health.”

Where you live matters

Access to nature isn’t evenly spread.

“Across Britain, millions are cut off from nature because local paths are missing, blocked or unusable,” the Ramblers said. “Local paths are lifelines - they connect people with green space, fresh air, and better mental and physical health.”

According to the charity, wealthier neighbourhoods in Scotland have twice as many paths as poorer areas, while in England and Wales, the most affluent communities have 80% more paths than the most deprived.

The cost of being shut out

Not being able to easily access nature has real consequences.

“A lack of affordable, local green space can have a direct impact on mental health and overall wellbeing,” the charity said. “Walking in nature is proven to reduce stress, improve mood and support physical health.”

They added: “Even walking for just 10 minutes a day can help improve heart health, or relieve the symptoms of chronic illness.”

But if safe, nearby routes aren’t available, those benefits aren’t shared equally. The result is a widening gap in health and wellbeing.

A right that doesn’t feel like one

While access to nature is a right that’s enshrined in law, for many low-income communities, that right remains out of reach due to underinvestment in paths and local green infrastructure.

“Millions of people simply don’t live within walking distance of accessible green space,” the Ramblers said, pointing to years of neglect that have left routes unusable or disconnected.

From Kinder Scout to ‘Access Denied’

The gathering in Hayfield to celebrate the mass trespass, isn’t just about looking back, it’s about what still needs to change.

“This mass trespass was an iconic event in the battle to regain access to the countryside,” the Ramblers said. “As we continue to celebrate the impact and legacy of the Kinder Scout Trespass, access remains limited and unequal.”

Through its ‘Access Denied’ campaign, the charity is calling for urgent action to repair and expand Britain’s path network, particularly in underserved communities.

Nearly a century after walkers demanded their right to roam, access to nature in Britain still depends heavily on income and postcode. For those on the lowest incomes, the landscape remains, in many ways, out of reach.