Captain Ginger

Rights of Way

The most widely known right to enjoy the countryside is that given by "public rights of way". Rights of way can be in or near to towns or in remote countryside. They can be wide tracks or narrow trails but all public rights of way are highways in law. Anyone may use a right of way, and may do so at any time, just as they would any other kind of highway.
http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Access/rights_of_way/index.asp

Strikes me Ruth Archer was as close to correct as makes no difference.