Under the CRoW (Countryside and Rights of Way) Act people now have the 'right to roam' on foot in many areas of open countryside in Wales and Northern England that were previously unavailable to the public.

As from today, people have legal access to roam all open country and common land in Wales and Northern England including National parks like the Brecon Beacons, the Yorkshire Dales, the North Yorkshire Moors, the Lake District and Northumbria. Open country is defined as mountain, moor, heath and downland but cultivated farmland and gardens and nature conservation areas are excluded. Legal access in the South West is due to commence later this year over the August bank holiday weekend. This all follows the 'right to roam' that came into force last year in Central and Southern England.

http://www.ramblers.org.uk/freedom/index.html