Bamford Edge, one of areas of the Peak District National Park made accessible by the CRoW legislation. Photo: Peak District NPA

Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to raise a glass to the 10th anniversary of open access with a new beer brewed in the Peak District.

Bakewell-based Thornbridge Brewery is also celebrating its 10th birthday and has produced a special Wild Side pale ale to mark the two events.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act saw the public’s right of access grow from 240 sq km to more than 500 sq km, opening up a new world to be explored inside Britain’s first national park.

The freedom to roam brought large parts of the Peak District’s wilder landscape within reach of walkers, climbers, runners and wildlife enthusiasts, allowing visitors to wander at will without keeping to public paths.

The beer will be officially launched with tours of the Riverside Brewery on 20 March. Ian Rotherham, professor of environmental geography at Sheffield Hallam University, will talk about the wilder side of nature in wilder areas and guests will be able to sample the new brew.

A minimum donation of £10 is requested and all proceeds from the tour will go into the park authority’s access fund to further improve access in the national park.

Sue Smith, access and rights of way officer for the Peak District National Park Authority, said: “Many people perhaps don’t realise that approximately a third of our national park is access land.

“We hope that this anniversary beer will help inspire others to take a walk on the wild side on our hills, moors and dales. All proceeds from the brewery tours will go into the fund set up so that we can continue to improve access for the future for all to enjoy.”

The Wild Side brew celebrates two anniversaries

Ian Rotherham said: “Access to the moors and bogs is all about nature on the wild side, the freedom of spirit and the freedom to roam.

“This is a precious heritage that has been hard won and should be savoured and celebrated. It must not be taken for granted but nurtured for future generations as a part of our birth-right.

“This is a fitting partnership because local food and drink are vital in triggering tourism and economic benefits and helping to spread the message of walking and enjoying the national park, from the dales to the gritstone edges.”

Alex Buchanan, marketing manager at Thornbridge, said: “When we heard of the anniversary of open access we were keen to get involved and decided to brew a beer to celebrate.”

Tours of the brewer will take place at 3pm and 5pm and anyone interested should email the national park officers.