Best Access to the Countryside Project

About the award

The Best Access to the Countryside award recognises outstanding efforts to make the countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming – especially in the places closest to where people live.

We’re celebrating projects that open up the countryside for everyone, breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for more people to enjoy the natural benefits of the countryside.

Entries are now closed.

Championing accessibility in the Hampshire Countryside

This award celebrates projects of all sizes that make the Hampshire countryside more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming. Whether it’s a new walking route, improved signage, accessible infrastructure, or a community-led programme, we’re looking for initiatives that help more people enjoy and benefit from nearby green spaces. From small local efforts to larger-scale schemes, we welcome entries that remove barriers, reflect community needs, and create supportive countryside experiences for all.

What we’re looking for:

• Improved Local Access
  Projects that enhance access to green spaces near homes – whether through new routes, safer paths, or better signage.
• Accessibility Infrastructure
  Initiatives that introduce or improve infrastructure such as gates, surfaces, seating, or transport links to make the countryside easier to reach and navigate for all.
• Community Engagement
  Projects that actively involve local people and reflect the needs and voices of those who benefit from improved access.
• Inclusion and Equity
  Efforts that tackle barriers to access for underrepresented or marginalised groups, ensuring that everyone has the chance to connect with the countryside.
• Supportive Experiences
  Programmes or partnerships that help individuals and groups – especially those with limited access – to enjoy, explore, and benefit from countryside experiences.

We welcome projects of all sizes from across the Hampshire countryside that demonstrate some or all of these qualities.

Who can apply?

We welcome projects of all sizes from across Hampshire that demonstrate a commitment to improving countryside access. Whether it’s a new footpath, a community-led walking group, or a major infrastructure upgrade – if it helps more people enjoy the countryside next door, we want to hear about it.

• Please read the category descriptions, criteria and eligibility information carefully. If you are not sure which category to enter please contact opsmanager@cprehampshire.org.uk and we can help.
• An individual, organisation or group can enter themselves or be nominated by someone else. However, all individuals or organisations need to give permission to be nominated.
• Projects must be within Hampshire.
• The nomination must be relevant to work taken place from 1st January 2024 to present.
• Past projects are entitled to re-enter but entries must contain new elements on which they will be judged.
• You may enter into more than one category.

Why apply?

• Celebrate Your Impact on people, place, and planet
• Gain Recognition from peers, professionals, and the wider community
• Inspire Others with your approach to rural housing
• Boost Your Profile and attract future opportunities

Winners will receive a £100 prize and gain automatic entry into the CPRE National Centenary Awards, giving your project the recognition it deserves on a larger stage.

On the award application form you will be asked to provide:

• Details about the project and your connection to it
• Contact details
• Information about your digital presence including social media profiles and website address
• Project information, including a 400 word brief description
• Supporting evidence, which may include additional documents, short films or videos
• Up to five supporting photos which will be used to promote the awards as well as your entered project or person
• Details about volunteer contributions including volunteer hours and numbers, if applicable.

Ready to enter?

• Complete the online entry form and submit with supplementary information. Alternatively, download the Countryside Awards Entry Form 2025. Details of where to email or post the award nomination are available on the form.
• The deadline for entries is 5pm on Monday 29th September 2025.