Bridle Path across property

dda_iawn

I am in the the process of buying a barn. It has a bridle path straight across the property.

The right of way predates the road becoming a fast and twisty (although not particularly busy) rural A road so my gut feeling is that it is unlikely to get that many people coming down it not least as it goes straight onto a fast blind bend with no pavement or verge.

Apart from not blocking it off with gates that can't be opened, is there anything else I need to be aware of?

moneyistooshorttomention

There will be websites out there that will clarify on this.

First thought that comes to mind being the Ramblers Association - I know their particular thing is footpaths...but am guessing there might be info. on there about bridleways as well (as I think much of the same rules etc would apply to both).

Nobbie1967

You might get a few mountain bikers as they won't be put off by a fast twisty road if the bridle way leads somewhere interesting.

Ithaca

Make sure to check it is officially listed as a bridleway (and not, for example, a byway instead). Your solicitor should do the checking for you, but you can also contact your local council who should have a definitive map showing the status.

I know a few greenlaners who have ended up in a dispute with landowners over whether a route is a bridleway or a "BOAT" (Byway Open to All Traffic). You can't always rely on the signposts (i.e. just because it has a bridleway arrow doesn't necessarily mean that's how it is designated on the definitive map). Last thing you want is the local off-road motorcycling club hammering past on a Sunday morning.

mlz1413

Greenlaners will say if a tractor has used it at any time since their invention then it has the right to be used by motorised vehicles, so do ensure your research is done, these guys can tear up ground until they look like assult courses!

As a horse rider bridle paths should be easy to access and obvious where they go, that way we use them properly and don't tread over ground that we are not meant to be on.

Gates are fine but if they are hard to open from a horse then they will cause an issue, not everyone can get on and off their horse easily.

Also remember that riders are high up so get good views over fences and into ground floor windows

go and have a chat with the locals in shops and pubs, see if there are any places stabling horses or selling hay locally that you can talk to about the path.