Originally dating back to the 1930's, the Country Code was widely published in its most accepted form in 1981.  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.  The Scottish Natural Heritage developed the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, where there are more general rights of access.

The Countryside Code:

• 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

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code:

• Take responsibility for your own actions
• Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind
• Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and effectively
• Care for the environment
• Keep your dog under proper control
• Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business

Leave the gate as you found it, or leave all gates as found, is an important rule of courtesy in rural areas throughout the world.  If a gate is found open, it should be left open, and if it is closed, it should be left closed.  It applies to visitors travelling onto or across farms, ranches and stations.  In all agricultural areas, farmers need to keep groups of livestock separate, for reasons including breeding for disease resistance and increased production, pest control, and controlling when ewes deliver their lambs.  Unwanted mingling of flocks or herds can deprive a farmer of income.

In low-rainfall areas, closing gates can cut livestock off from water supplies.  For example, most of the land used for grazing in Australia has no natural water supplies, so drinking water for the stock must be supplied by the farmer or landowner, often by using a windmill to pump groundwater.  Even visitors who know how a stock water system works may be unaware of breakdowns.  During hot weather, cattle require large quantities of water to drink and can die in less than a day if they do not get it.  Sheep need less water and can survive longer without it, but will die if cut off from water for several hot days.