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Restrictions and Closures

Landowners can close their moor for 28 days a year. This is normally to ensure public safety whilst carrying out necessary management tasks such as heather burning. During these times you are prohibited from entering the moor unless you are following an existing right of way.

Landowners may also apply for long-term restrictions or closures, where necessary for land management, safety or fire prevention reasons.
 
There are a number of ways you can find out about such closures:
  • The Countryside Agency administers the closures and holds up-to-date information on their website www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk.
  • Access information points have also been installed at popular locations within the AONB and will display information about closures. 
  • Location of information points will also be indicated on the new OS Explorer maps 297 & 298. These are widely available from shops or you can order direct by telephoning 0845 2002712.

 Photo: Burning Heather courtesy of Tessa Bunney

 

Photo: Grouse shooting party courtesy of Tessa Bunney
 
Key dates to note:
Ground nesting bird season March to June
Grouse shooting season  12th August to 10th December
Pheasant Shooting season  1st October to 1st February
Heather Burning Season  1st October to 15th April
Lambing March to end of May (uplands)
 
Bringing your dog
If you are planning to bring your dog with you, you must check to find out whether restrictions are in place for a particular moor before you set out. Most Access Land in the Nidderdale AONB is managed for grouse shooting. Owners of grouse moors have the right to exclude dogs from the moor all year round. On other moors you must use a fixed lead no more than two metres long at all times near livestock, and from 1 March to 31 July which is the ground bird nesting season for grouse and many other moorland bird species. If in doubt keep to public rights of way and always have your dog under close control.