Hayfield Outdoors for All Festival 2026 celebrates landmark anniversaries and the “Right to Roam”

A unique three-day festival celebrating access to nature, activism and heritage will take place in Hayfield this April.

The Hayfield Outdoors for All Festival 2026 (24–26 April) brings together literature, politics and music while marking three significant anniversaries:

• 75 years since the creation of the UK’s first National Park, the Peak District National Park
• 90 years since the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War
• 94 years since the historic Kinder Scout Mass Trespass

A legacy rooted in Hayfield

Hayfield holds a special place in the fight for public access to the countryside. It was here that the famous “Right to Roam” movement gained momentum during the 1932 mass trespass, when walkers challenged restrictions on access to Kinder Scout.

That moment became a turning point in opening up the countryside, helping to shape the creation of National Parks and influencing generations of campaigners.

The festival also highlights the wider historical connections between these movements, including the role some trespassers later played in international struggles such as the Spanish Civil War.

A festival with a forward focus

More than a commemoration, the festival is designed as a platform for discussion, collaboration and future action around access to land and water.

Bringing together campaigners, writers, musicians and organisations, the event aims to build momentum for change while promoting responsible access and environmental protection.

Previous speakers have included leading voices in environmental and access campaigning, and this year’s programme continues that tradition.

Festival highlights

• Friday 24 April – Opening event and book launch with travel writer Tom Chesshyre, marking the anniversary of the Peak District National Park
• Saturday 25 April – A full day of talks, panel discussions and live music, including folk performances and communal singing of protest songs such as The Manchester Rambler
• Sunday 26 April – A commemorative walk along the historic trespass route, finishing at the reservoir

Looking to the future

Organisers say the festival comes at a crucial time. While access to the countryside has improved significantly since 1932, only a small proportion of land and waterways in England remains fully accessible to the public.

The event aims to encourage continued progress — balancing expanded access with environmental responsibility and respect for local communities.