The Country Code and The Countryside Code are sets of rules for visitors to rural, and especially agricultural, regions of the United Kingdom. The Country Code dates back to the 1930s and the Countryside Code replaced it in 2004. The original rules The Country Code evolved from the work of various organisations and had several different versions from the 1930s. The most widely accepted version of The Country Code was published in 1981 by the Countryside Commission: Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work Guard against all risk of fire Fasten all gates Keep your dogs under close control Keep to public paths across farmland Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone Take your litter home Help to keep all water clean Protect wildlife, plants and trees Take special care on country roads Make no unnecessary noise In the 1960s and 70s the Country Code was publicised by several public information films shown in cinemas and on television. At some point after 1981, the instruction to fasten all gates was replaced with one to instead leave gates as found. The Countryside Code In 2004 The Country Code was revised and relaunched as The Countryside Code (Côd Cefn Gwlad in Welsh) to reflect the introduction of new open access rights and changes in society over the preceding years. The revised Code was produced through a partnership between the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs Leave gates and property as you find them Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home Keep dogs under close control Consider other people COVID-19 version In early July 2020, the Westminster government published an amended short version of the code online during the COVID-19 pandemic as lockdown was being eased across England to help manage public access to the countryside under the changed circumstances. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code In Scotland, where there is a more general right of access, Scottish Natural Heritage developed The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which was approved in draft form by the Scottish Parliament in July 2003 following the passing of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of the same year, and was accepted in February 2005. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code differs significantly from The Country Code in that it promotes access rights that include crossing over land