Anyone know how you can find out/see where permissive footpaths are without actually walking around the area and searching them out?
I have some OS maps of the area I am interested in (Nailsea/West End area) however the it doesn't show some permissive paths that I know are there
Maps aren't definitive proofs of RoW - OS maps carry a disclaimer to the effect of "RoW shown on this map are not evidence of rights of way or access" or something.
Your local council hold the Definitive Map, your local ROW officer should be able to help - either tell you how to see a physical copy, or where to find it online. HOwever I'm not sure that permissive paths will always be marked on the definitive map. Again though, the ROW officer will be able to help
..or just ride where you want whilst exercising some common sense and being polite to any walkers you meet???
Honestly, the ROW laws regarding biking in this country are a joke. What can they actually do anyway if they catch you on a footpath?
As far as I know, Permissive Rights of Way are not marked on any publicly available map.
I just checked on the Worcestershire on line definitive map and they're not shown. Maybe they are in other counties ?
I've only seen a couple round here and they do tend to have a little map pinned to a post at each end to show the route, so someone, somewhere has drawn a map of each one. They just don't seem to publish the maps or a list of permissive routes.
Yes, its your local and district councils that are responsible for permissive routes, and their maps are in no standardized format. My next question would be why?
All of the permissives in my area are straight and lack any features of worth
Cool thanks, I will email the RoW officer for my county and see what I can find
Defra have a searchable map thing for permissive paths here:
http://cwr.defra.gov.uk/
Permissives don't have to feature.
A land owner can open up a path anytime they wish if they want to allow access. They may decide to notify the local authority, especially if they want it signposting.
Although not obliged to, and as mentioned above, PRoW departments are mostly responsible for paths on the definitive map. However, permissive paths are still an important part of every authorities network, mostly due to 'missing links' on promoted routes (AFAIK something like 70% of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is along permissive routes), and myself am keen on permissive routes through farm yards (assuming the definitive line is open) and waymark them with white 'permissive path' waymark discs.
As such, most PRoW departments will keep an ad-hoc record of permissive paths (I always forget to add them to our mapping system TBH), and as they aren't recorded on any map - as they don't have to be - you'll need to rely on randomly finding one, or just hoping that PRoW departments can find that magic five spare minutes and get them added to their own website mapping system (which they should all have BTW, with online definitive maps).
I'd rely on the defra map linked above rather than ringing your local PRoW department as they'll likely refer you to it anyway. I've not actually seen the defra map before, it's much better than the
welsh one which has just reminded me I've not updated for the last 3 years 
although the routes shown are ones created as a result of agri-environmental schemes (e.g. they get paid for it), but not that it makes any difference really.
Clicky if you'd like to know more about permissive paths.
[edit]
I've never come across a permissive path that the landowner wanted to open up without getting paid / given something for or not as part of a longer route. Chances are you're really so you're not missing out on much 
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