ABSTRACT
Alongside the creation of the private amenity landscapes of country retreats, ordinary folk have shown an increasing interest in using the countryside for leisure, to the point that it has become the playground of society at large. Through the simple enjoyment of its scenery and open space to its use for a variety of outdoor recreational activities, the countryside has acquired a popular and tangible significance which has done much to sustain its idealisation in the public mind. Such is the strength of this perception of the countryside that it has generated increasing pressure on rural land and natural environments, as well as a growing demand for the protection of its amenity value and its public accessibility. This has resulted in the designation of rural and wilderness areas as leisure environments. It has also been accompanied by the rise of a substantial countryside recreation industry which has further stimulated public interest in its amenity use.
