Follow the Countryside Code If you enjoy spending time outdoors in the countryside green spaces we look after, we need your help to help us keep them safe for visitors and wildlife by observing the guidelines set out in the Countryside Code: Respect other people Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors Park carefully so access to gateways and driveways is clear Leave gates and property as you find them Follow marked paths and local signs Protect the natural environment Leave no trace of your visit, take all your litter home No BBQs and fires Keep dogs under control Dog poo – bag it and bin it – use our designated poo bins or take it home and use your own bin What do I need to know about visiting with my dog? Well-behaved dogs are welcome at most countryside locations, unless there is a nature conservation reason for a place to be dog-free. This may vary according to the time of year, for example when sheep may be grazing. While visiting, please pay attention to any local signage relating to dog walking – for example whether your dog needs to be on a lead. Dogs should be kept on leads around livestock, but if cattle or other large animals try to chase your dog then it is safer to drop the lead until you are clear of the area. If you do have your dog off-lead in a permitted area, please remember that you will be sharing that space with other dogs and people, some of whom might be nervous. Ensure that your dog remains within sight at all times, and will respond reliably to a recall. Please bag your dog’s poo and carry it until you find a bin, or take it home with you. If left, dog poo can harm habitats by changing the nitrogen balance of soils, and it can also carry diseases that cause cows to have still-births. See here for details of Dog Walking at Rushmere Country Park Please take your litter home with you As well as spoiling the beauty of landscapes, litter can also be extremely dangerous for wildlife which can easily become entangled or mistake it for food. It can also act as fuel for wildfires. If you do have a picnic (picnics are welcome on The Meadow at Rushmere Country Park) or produce any other litter during your visit, please keep hold of it until you find a bin, or take it home with you. Please keep to the marked paths and trails We look after many miles of walking, cycling and horse riding routes - some of these trails run through environmentally sensitive locations, so we ask that you always keep to the path or trail in order to avoid damaging the surrounding area. If you’re exploring a new trail then it’s worth taking a map to make sure you’re following the correct route, and don’t forget to look out for local signs and waymarkers as well. You can download a map of trails at Rushmere Country Park here. Why can’t I have a BBQ? The countryside can become very dry especially during the summer months, creating the perfect conditions for fires to ignite and quickly spread. Even a small spark from a cigarette, barbeque or campfire can cause serious wildfires and devastate important wildlife habitats. Wildfires also put a lot of pressure on the emergency services, and endanger local communities and wildlife. Find out about our No BBQ policy at Rushmere Country Park Manage Cookie Preferences