Countryside Recreation

Mr Peter Bromley

Visiting the countryside is now the most popular leisure activity in Britain, with over 160 million visits made by the public a year. As the awareness of the general public about the countryside and the environment in general is increasing, so too is the range of recreational opportunities on offer and the amount of leisure time available for people to enjoy them. These changes are imposing many pressures on the countryside. At the centre of this process are the countryside recreation sites (country parks, country estates, picnic sites, nature reserves) which seek both to provide a balance of opportunities and attractions within the countryside, and to protect the natural beauty of the landscape. Managing these sites requires a great deal of skill and understanding of physical and human processes. Furthermore, new trends in seeing these sites as a 'gateway' to the enjoyment of the wider countryside bring with them new requirements and opportunities. Countryside Recreation outlines the principles of site development and management in the countryside. The various elements which shape countryside recreation are examined: human demands, physical constraints, ecological and aesthetic considerations and the legal framework surrounding countryside recreation provision. The process of management is explained together with types of facility and opportunity which might be provided by the Countryside Manager, including visitor centres, nature trails, interpretation, ranger services and special events. This concise handbook will familiarize managers with the issues they will have to confront and help them acquire the skills to handle them successfully.

Introduction. Recreation in the countryside. Management planning. Staffing. Facilities and opportunities. Interpretation. Marketing. The legal framework. Other issues.