General and site-specific byelaws

Our byelaws are there to help protect our green spaces, wildlife and visitors.

General byelaws

The byelaws relating to all parks, nature reserves and other open spaces in Bournemouth are:

no climbing (except on climbing equipment)
do not move any structures
do not build or put up any structures
no camping
no trading - includes personal trainers, boot camps, dog walking etc
no entry when sites are closed
no metal detectors
no throwing missiles - for example, stones, branches or lumps of earth
no fires
do not use bikes, skateboards, skates or scooters unless you’re in an area that says you can
no public shows or exhibitions without our consent
no loud, annoying noises
do not obstruct any council officer or representative
do not obstruct anyone else using the site
close gates behind you at Stour Valley, Hengistbury Head, Kinson Common and Turbary Common
no firearms or fireworks at Stour Valley, Hengistbury Head, Kinson Common and Turbary Common.

To protect our flora and fauna, you must:

only ride horses on bridleways
not graze your own animals on council land
not walk on flower beds or areas set aside for growing plants/grass
not take plants, flowers, soil, stones or trees
not hunt or partake in any other activity likely to cause injury to wildlife (except where fishing is allowed)
be aware of our dog control orders and dog byelaws on the seafront.

When riding a bike or driving a vehicle, please note that there is:

When playing games in our open spaces and nature reserves, you should:

only play ball games where allowed
not partake in archery
only play golf on a golf course
not play field sports (discus, javelin, shot and hammer)
not play games that are likely to cause damage to the site or its plants and trees.

The byelaws relating to kites and powered and unpowered aircraft are:

only fly kites safely and in permitted areas (Hengistbury Head only)
do not land aircraft, hang gliders or paragliders in local nature reserves except in an emergency
do not launch hang gliders or paragliders in local nature reserves.

The general byelaws relating to water at our open spaces include:

no swimming in ponds, lakes or streams
no polluting
do not interfere with lifesaving equipment
no model boats in local nature reserves
no launching, mooring or beaching of any vessels, including hovercraft, in local nature reserves.

We can lawfully remove anyone who breaks these rules. You can also be fined up to a maximum of £500.

We do not allow anyone to use metal detectors in our parks, gardens or nature reserves.

As well as general byelaws, there are some which are specific to sites and areas: