4x4 Off Roading ›› Counties with 4x4 Courses
4x4 Off Road Courses by County
4X4 OFF ROAD SITES: Buying the 4WD, quad bike, or trail bike is the first part. The next step is finding an answer to 'where can I drive my 4x4 off road' in the United Kingdom?
Most counties have a quiet piece of moorland tucked away from the city chaos. At first glance, it might seem the perfect spot for some muddy off roading.
But, beware of those that have signs displaying 'Private Land: No Vehicles Allowed'.
'Other drivers do it' will be a poor defence if you get caught!
You might also be planning to drive off road on a disused railway line. Some county map research may reveal a local network of bridleways and footpaths near you.
Driving or riding on any of these off road sites could be breaking the law. Causing environmental damage to such places is serious. The police can confiscate your 4WD vehicle, quad bike, or trail bike.
UK law governs where you can (and where you cannot) drive on 4x4 off road sites. Of course, you can drive on the public roads. Some Byways Open to All Traffic 'BOATS' provide definitive vehicular rights for motorists.
Even so, the rules of the road still apply. That means you need a licence, vehicle insurance, and road tax. You need to wear helmets and take note of no-entry signs.
Note: Byways and any unclassified county roads are public highways. They may not have a tarmac surface. But, driving on these muddy green lane tracks is not real 'off roading' per se.
The complicated law for driving on 4x4 off road sites 'muddies the water' even further. The best advice we can offer is not to do it if you have any doubt whatsoever. But, driving or riding a motor bike on a bridleway, cycle track, or public footpath is illegal.
Likewise, you cannot drive on land without the express permission of the landholder. This applies to commons, country parks, derelict railways, forest, moorland, waste ground.
The UK road traffic laws now apply to many different types of motor vehicles. It applies to bikes (kid's bikes), buggies, karts, and quadricycles. All these vehicle types must be road legal if they get used in any public open spaces.
Counties with 4x4 Off Road Courses
Some owners and drivers of 4x4s and SUV Crossovers also own their own land. That makes the task of finding the best off road adventure courses and circuits or tracks easy.
But, the rest of us may have to find a commercial motor sports site or join an off road club.
The most common 4x4 off road sites in Britain are the 'pay and play' centres. They are user organisations with a wealth of knowledge on using public rights of way. It is a good source for information on local byways and 'driveable' unsurfaced roads.
Going it alone will mean using Ordnance Survey maps. They are a useful guide, but hardly a definitive source of legal public rights of way where you can drive a 4x4 (or ride).
Public Rights of Way
Here's an extra tip for those who like exploring by themselves. Source out the map legend on the Explorer maps called 'Public Rights of Way'. It highlights footpaths and local bridleways that forbid driving or riding. But, you will also see:
- RUPPS (Roads Used as Public Paths): They got reclassified as Restricted Byways. You should not drive or ride on RUPPS as they are not vehicular thoroughfares.
- BOATS (Byways Open to All Traffic): The common term for these is byways. BOATS can get driven as long as there is no TRO (Traffic Regulation Order) in force. As a rule, they get waymarked with red arrows.
- ORPA (Other Routes with Public Access): ORPAs show as green dots on 1:25,000 Explorer maps. They show up as red dots on 1:50,000 Landranger maps. Many user groups believe these to be vehicular. But, many county Highway Authorities cannot confirm their vehicular status. The best advice is to avoid them unless you are sure.
Some motoring publications also provide information on where you can go 4x4 offroading. They often advertise 'pay and play' centres or off road practice sites in your county. These 4x4 courses are muddy and ideal circuits for practicing your driving skills.
Consequences of Illegal Off Roading
Note: Motor bikes, quads, and 4x4s create a lot of noise. Besides that, damage from unlawful off roading is often a public nuisance. Police will prosecute the worst offenders. That means they can seize and crush the vehicle.
List of 4x4 Off Road Sites Near You
Berkshire 4x4 Off Road
4x4 Off Roading Courses and Tracks in Berkshire.
Off Road Experience in Berkshire
Berkshire 4x4. Based in Reading, just 5 minutes from the M4 junction 11.
Our primary range of activities are based around off road driving events. However our full range of activities are there to test and extend every skill level. All activities are run by our own fully qualified staff.
Bristol 4x4 Off Road
4x4 Off Roading Courses and Tracks in Bristol - Avon
Listings of 4x4 courses and events in Bristol and Avon
Dundry Off Road (Bristol) 44 acres of courses and track (That's a lot) for 4x4 off roading enthusiasts or fun lovers. Jungle track, water obstacles, ups, downs and all the other things that make 4x4 off roading great fun - or an extreme challenge.
Bristol Off Road Driver Training Centre. Driver training. Norton Lane, near Bristol
Essex 4x4 Off Road
Off Roading in Essex 4x4 Courses and Tracks.
4x4 Fun at Essex Off Road Club
Essex, Rochford and District 4x4 - (Own courses). Creeksea Ferry Road,
Wallasea Island, Canewdon, SS4 2EY
Kent 4x4 Off Road Clubs
The county of Kent in the south east of England has several 4x4 off road courses. There are also a few superb SUV clubs within easy reach of the county. We are compiling a list of green laning courses and muddy driving tracks in Kent.
They offer family fun experiences and serious off roading with your monster machine. Click through to check out the best off road driving Kent has to offer.
Surrey 4x4 Off Road Clubs
The county of Surrey is one of Home Counties situated due south of London. But, you can still find several 4x4 off road driving courses and clubs. They ooze driving entertainment and wild offroading adventures.
Check out the list of Surrey green lanes and tracks for off road driving experiences. These muddy circuits offer serious offroading for your motorised behemoth.
Land Rover enthusiasts should get a ticket and head out for some off road driving at Loseley Park stately home in Guildford (28 miles southwest of London).
Thruxton Driving Experience
Thruxton Circuit is 2.4 miles long (3.792 km per lap). It is a race track for drivers who like to drive corners at high speed.
This guide contains a list of different driving experiences at Thruxton race circuit and the facilities available at this popular racing venue in Hampshire.
Yorkshire Off Roading Experiences
Drivers and riders are becoming more adventurous about driving off road and the selection of great venues keeps increasing around the United Kingdom.
Check out a section listing the best bike and car track day events in Yorkshire with information about other 4x4 off road driving experience packages available in Northern England.
Next... Hampshire | Herefordshire | Lancashire | Yorkshire | Suffolk | Sussex |
UK Off Road Driving Experiences
Off road driving is a very different driving skill than driving in towns or cities in the United Kingdom. It is hard to appreciate the differences between a smooth road surface and an unmade track. The best way to find out is to have a go and 'get it wrong' a few times.
Green laning needs a logical method of 'handling a 4x4 safely'. If you experience off road driving you will soon realise. It requires a different thought process to the way you would drive on normal roads.