The Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout: The Protest That Opened the Peaks
- Janire
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Imagine getting arrested for going on a walk. Not trespassing through someone’s living room or stealing garden gnomes—just walking across moorland to soak up the views and breathe in some fresh air. Sounds ridiculous, right?
Well, that’s exactly what happened on 24 April 1932, when hundreds of ordinary people took part in one extraordinary act of defiance that changed the course of outdoor access in the UK. And every time you lace up your boots for a Sunday ramble, you’re walking in their muddy, rebellious footsteps.
What Was the Mass Trespass of Kinder Scout?
The Kinder Mass Trespass wasn’t just a walk—it was a protest with hiking boots on. On that spring day in 1932, around 400 walkers set off from Bowden Bridge Quarry near Hayfield, scaling Kinder Scout to demand access to land that was (ridiculously) off-limits to the public.
The protest was led by 20-year-old Benny Rothman, the Lancashire secretary of the British Workers’ Sports Federation (BWSF). These were working-class young people from Manchester and the surrounding mill towns who wanted what we all do: time outdoors, fresh air, and freedom. But landowners and gamekeepers had other ideas—and they weren’t shy about using fists to make their point.
Earlier that month, the group had been turned back from another local peak, Bleaklow, and that confrontation lit the fuse. Rothman and the BWSF decided it was time for a bigger statement. A decoy rally in Hayfield distracted the police (who were expecting a Communist uprising—spoiler: they got ramblers with packed lunches instead), while the real action unfolded on the moors.
Walkers broke through a line of gamekeepers at William Clough, met up with another group from Sheffield on the plateau, then returned to Hayfield “with heads held high.” Six men were arrested, five were imprisoned—and the spark for the modern right to roam movement was officially ignited.
Benny Rothman: The Trailblazer Behind the Protest
Benny wasn’t just a rambler—he was a symbol of working-class grit. Born in 1911 to Romanian Jewish parents in Manchester, he left school at 14 to work as a mechanic. But outside the garage, he was a budding activist and outdoor lover. By 1932, he was leading hikes, cycling trips, and campaigns for equal access to nature.
After serving three months in prison for his part in the Kinder Trespass, Benny didn’t give up. He spent the rest of his life fighting for social justice, outdoor access, and workers’ rights. A true legend—and a reminder that the fight for the outdoors has always been about much more than nice views.
The Right to Roam: A Long Walk to Freedom
The Kinder Mass Trespass wasn’t the first attempt to open up Britain’s countryside—but it was a turning point. Here’s the highlight reel:
1884: MP James Bryce proposes the first “freedom to roam” bill. It flops.
Early 1900s: Industrial workers seek escape in the countryside—but landowners say no.
1931: A government inquiry suggests a National Park Authority. Nothing happens.
1932: Kinder Mass Trespass puts access rights in the headlines.
1936: Outdoor and conservation groups unite under the Standing Committee on National Parks.
1949: The government passes the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act.
1951: The Peak District becomes the UK’s first National Park.
2000: The Countryside and Rights of Way Act finally gives legal access to mapped open country and common land in England and Wales.
And yet... more than 90% of land in England is still out of bounds to the public. So no, the story’s not over. But thanks to those Kinder hikers, we’re a heck of a lot further up the hill.
Celebrate the Spirit: Join These 2025 Kinder Trespass Anniversary Events
To honour the brave ramblers who stood up (and hiked up) for our right to roam, anniversary events are taking place this April in the very heart of where it all began. Whether you fancy a challenging walk, a women-only group hike, or a festival of access rights, there’s something for you:
🚶♂️ Kinder Scout Mass Trespass Anniversary Guided Walk
📅 April 24, 2025 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Bowden Bridge Car Park, HayfieldJoin an 8-mile circular hike retracing the original trespass route, including steep ascents and uneven terrain. A brilliant way to walk the walk—literally.
👉 Advance booking essential via the National Trust event page.
🚺 Kinder Mass Trespass Anniversary Hike (Women Only)
📅 April 6, 2025 | Time TBC
📍 Bowden Bridge Car Park, HayfieldThis 14km guided hike is just for women, celebrating strength, solidarity, and the freedom to roam together.
👉 Details and registration via Eventbrite.
🎉 Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group Access Festival
📅 April 26, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Hayfield Village Hall and surrounding areasExpect speakers, stalls, exhibitions, and performances championing access rights and current campaigns. It’s like Glastonbury for ramblers—with fewer wellies and more OS maps.
👉 Find out more at the Hayfield Kinder Trespass Group website.
Final Thoughts: Be More Benny
The Mass Trespass wasn’t about breaking the law—it was about fixing a broken system. And almost a century later, we’re still hiking up hills that were once forbidden, thanks to people like Benny Rothman and his fearless crew.
So if you love the outdoors, believe that nature should be for everyone, and feel like doing your bit—grab your boots, join a walk, or just share the story. Because every step we take now honours the ones they took back then.
🧭 Let’s keep walking forward—together.
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