Navigating a Career in Public Rights of Way and Access
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By Charlotte Hubbard, Founder of Public Rights of Way Explorer
Like many in the sector, my career in Public Rights of Way (PRoW) and Access wasn’t something I planned—it was something I stumbled into. Originally, I had intended to study Geography, but after missing a grade, I found myself ringing around universities during clearing. That’s when I discovered Countryside Management at Newcastle University. Looking back, it was a perfect fit, and I would have applied for it in the first place if I’d known it existed!
While at university, I took full advantage of placement opportunities, spending time with Northumberland National Park and the North Pennines AONB (now a National Landscape). I also worked seasonal roles with the National Trust and the Lake District National Park, gaining invaluable customer-facing experience. My summers were filled with volunteering—whether that was helping with path maintenance and bird surveys as a residential volunteer on Islay or learning ecological surveying techniques as an Otter Surveyor for Northumberland Wildlife Trust. These experiences cemented my love for the outdoors, but breaking into the sector proved tougher than expected.
Like many graduates, I sent off application after application for ranger and conservation roles but found the competition fierce. That led me to an internship with the RSPB at Coombes Valley, where I gained practical skills such as chainsaw and pesticide certifications while working full-time in exchange for accommodation. It was hands-on and hard work—four days a week wielding a chainsaw soon convinced me that habitat management wasn’t my long-term calling! However, it did introduce me to the wider world of access and estate management, and eventually, I discovered the world of PRoW.
Wishing I Had Done an Apprenticeship
Looking back, I wish I had considered an apprenticeship—either between school and university or after finishing my degree. Many entry-level jobs in the sector require paid experience, and an apprenticeship would have provided that crucial on-the-job training while also allowing me to earn a wage. It’s something I’d encourage anyone looking to get into PRoW or countryside management to consider, as it offers practical skills and industry connections that can be invaluable when starting out.
Working in PRoW & Access
My first PRoW role was with Suffolk County Council as a Rights of Way Officer. The work was incredibly varied, from maintaining signage, bridges, and surfaces to securing funding through Section 106 agreements. A large part of the role involved enforcement—ensuring landowners reinstated paths through crops and dealing with obstructions. It also required a lot of community engagement—working with parish councils, training volunteers, and educating people about their rights and responsibilities.
One of the best things about PRoW work is the variety of people who enter the sector. Many colleagues had backgrounds in policing, teaching, or the military. While some had environmental degrees, others brought skills in negotiation, project management, and legal expertise. What mattered most was problem-solving, working with people, and balancing different stakeholder needs.
While at Suffolk County Council, I also completed my ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management at Easton & Otley College. Balancing this alongside my work gave me invaluable skills in team leadership, strategic planning, and project management—skills that have been crucial throughout my career.
My next move took me to the British Horse Society as an Access Field Officer in the East Region, where I worked on Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs), planning applications, and equestrian access campaigns. From there, I returned to Cumbria as a Countryside Access Officer, working on the England Coast Path—negotiating routes, designing solutions for river crossings, and overseeing PRoW maintenance across diverse landscapes.
Public Rights of Way Explorer – From Blog to Advocacy
Recognising a lack of accessible information about PRoW, I started a blog and social media accounts under Public Rights of Way Explorer to educate and inspire people about access rights. My aim was to make the outdoors more accessible and share my passion for the countryside. This platform led to ambassador roles with organisations including Campaign for National Parks, Ordnance Survey, and This Girl Can. Through this work, I was invited to speak at Parliament, contributing to the National Parks All Party Parliamentary Group, a Parliamentary Roundtable on Disability, and the relaunch of the Access and Environment Charter.
The Skills You Need
So, what skills do you actually need for a career in PRoW and Access? Here are the essentials:
- Problem-solving: Designing routes, resolving conflicts, or dealing with unexpected challenges like access throughout the pandemic.
- Negotiation & diplomacy: Working with landowners, councils, user groups, and developers.
- Legal understanding: A working knowledge of the Highways Act, Countryside and Rights of Way Act, and Wildlife and Countryside Act.
- Project management: Securing funding, delivering infrastructure projects, and managing budgets.
- Communication: Writing reports, speaking at inquiries, and engaging communities.
The Blue Book – The PRoW Bible
Anyone considering a career in PRoW should become familiar with Rights of Way: A Guide to Law and Practice (or 'The Blue Book'). Now in its fourth edition, this definitive guide to rights of way law in England and Wales was revised by John Riddall and John Trevelyan, two leading experts in the field. Essential for professionals, it also serves as a fascinating record of the historical and contemporary PRoW network.
Where I Am Now
After years in PRoW, I moved into a more strategic role, first as a Specialist Casework Planning Inspector, determining Rights of Way Orders and Common Land applications. While I gained a deep understanding of the legal framework, the extensive travel took its toll. That led me to my current role as a Commons & Land Management Advisor, working with graziers, landowners, and environmental bodies across Cumbria, Yorkshire, and Durham. It’s a natural evolution of my access work, bringing together land management, stakeholder engagement, and environmental stewardship.
Final Thoughts
PRoW work isn’t all legal battles and stakeholder meetings—sometimes it’s just downright ridiculous. Over the years, I’ve found myself wading waist-deep through flooded paths, dodging territorial geese, and once, quite memorably, having to explain to a very irate landowner that: no, they could not electrify a stile to keep walkers out. It’s a job where no two days are ever the same, and just when you think you’ve seen it all, something even stranger happens!
A career in PRoW and Access is incredibly rewarding. It’s a field where you can genuinely make a difference—improving access, preserving historic routes, and ensuring landscapes remain open for future generations. It’s also a sector full of passionate, dedicated people who each bring something different to the table. If you’re considering a move into PRoW, go for it—just be prepared for mud, bureaucracy, and the occasional stand-off with a territorial goose!
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