Visiting the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark

The North Pennines AONB Partnership is urging people to continue to take care and respect local communities when spending time outdoors, as COVID-19 restrictions begin to change.

We are asking visitors and local communities to be respectful of each other.

• Plan your visit and check first to see what shops, facilities and food outlets are open. Avoid crowded places;
• Leave no trace of your visit – bring a bag for your litter, and take it home with you to bin or recycle;
• Follow the Countryside Code, keep dogs on leads, stick to public footpaths and leave gates as you find them;
• Do not light barbecues or fires, and take care with cigarettes and other sources of ignition. A tiny spark can cause devastating damage to wildlife and land;
• Think of others, by keeping to current social distancing guidance and avoiding walking near farm buildings and homes where possible;
• Avoid putting pressure on emergency services by exercising within your limits;
• Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitisers when facilities are not available.
• Stay at home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and keep to the isolation guidance issued by government.

There will be further changes from 4 July, when hotels, B&Bs, campsites, caravan parks, other self-contained accommodation, pubs, restaurants, attractions, visitor centres and museums are allowed to open indoor and outdoor services, providing safety measures are in place. The new COVID-secure Government guidelines have now been published and our businesses are working hard to make sure they can welcome you safely while keeping their staff safe.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines AONB Partnership, said: “There are many physical and mental health benefits of exercising in outstanding landscapes but we all have a role to play in taking care of these special places. Please leave no trace of your visit, and keep these places special for people and wildlife.”

The countryside is a living, working place and the safety of rural and farming communities is vital. If you are heading out into the North Pennines, on public rights of way or on open access land, please follow the Countryside Code and take additional care on farmland; though rights of way are not closed, you must practice social distancing at all times and you should consider modifying walking routes to avoid farm buildings and houses.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-guidance-on-access-to-green-spaces

Parts of the North Pennines AONB and UNESCO Global Geopark are in County Durham, Northumberland and Cumbria – there are links to the official tourism websites on the right hand menu.