Am I a cf for asking a farmer this question?

Another thought is if it belongs to a dairy farm it very well might not have stock in it and is used to intensively grow grass as a crop for a no grazing system in which case it would be a definite no due to the risk of the crop becoming contaminated.

We unfortunately have to remind people regularly that their right to use a footpath through our fields does not extend to a right for the dog to run about in the whole field as they pass through. People have become so ignorant of the countryside code - its so sad when you see wildlife being disturbed and livestock being stressed even if they aren't physically hurt.

Why do people think its OK?

I dont know where the OP lives but farm fields aren't all anywhere near the farm yard and, at least where I live never have tractors in them as a lot are for livestock

I'm sure the OP isn't stupid enough to walk her dogs in those places but if it s a deal breaker I'd say even if the farmer says yes when the field is empty that won't be a year round solution

As the moment I can see ploughed and empty fields around me but next week the unploughed ones might be full of sheep and before line the ploughed ones will have crops growing and no path to walk round

No cheek/no chance. you could knock say hi,potential new neighbours...then judge from there?

People in the countryside expect to find dog walkers (and cyclists, or even occasional horses or tractors) along narrow 60mph lanes. In the nicest possible way, I think if you don't know this you may not be best suited to the location - you need to always be very aware when driving that you might turn a corner and find yourself facing an obstacle; while you may be judging others for bombing down the road, they may well be less of a threat than you if you don't realise this, even if you're tootling along at 30. And wandering idly along listening to a podcast while your dog ambles on an extended lead won't really work, you'll have to train him. But many people happily walk their dogs along roads like this, and most have taught their dogs to press themselves into the hedge to let cars pass. I just say "in", and in they go.

Yes, I agree. As a landowner, I would much rather people came and talked to me and you can have a conversation about why it might be a problem. Then you get to know your neighbours, and they feel more approachable, on both sides.

There is nothing wrong with asking the question. I know somebody who asked the same question and the answer was yes as long as there was no livestock in the fields. Currently there is, so they can’t.

@Whye don't buy the house.

Imagine if someone you never met was thinking about moving to your street and using your drive once a day just for 5 mins during the school run? You’d laugh at the audacity.
If he was thinking about just doing it then yes, outrageous. If he was thinking about asking no problem and not in the least audacious.

So not at the edge of the field then, but actually a strip several metres wide?

It always baffles me when this kind of threads come up why people think it is "rude" or "entitled" just to ask a question.

"Would you consider reducing the height of your tree?"
"Would you mind if the electrician came round for an hour to the holiday cottage I am letting to you this week?"
"Would you mind if I walked my dogs carefully through your field?"

None of these are cheeky to ask. Rude to demand or to do without asking but the act of asking itself is not rude or entitled.

Save your breath. The farmer is not going to say yes. The risk of you or your dog being injured on his land is not worth the hassle.

Either find a different house or buy it and accept you will have an excruciatingly long 4 minute round trip to walk your dogs.

Farmers here are really not keen on dogs in the fields, as they are private property and they have issues with poachers etc., bikes, so don't won't anyone on them who shouldn't be there. There are also issues with what is sprayed on the field, something to think about in regards to the health of the dog.

being that you haven’t yet moved into your new house you might want to ask yourself two questions….
is this the right place for a cf townie?
do I want to embarrass myself by asking the farmer a cf question?

🤣

Where do you live? Definitely isn't in the countryside and if it is you don't have a dog

What nonsense

This is the best solution. It's what everyone else does. I hear of more sheep mauled by dogs than dogs mauled by cars.

Second the advice to check an OS map or app for footpaths, there maybe some v nearby.

I wouldn’t ask for access to walk the dogs on the fields if not though, most farmers would see it much the same way as you’d see it if someone asked to walk their dog round your garden or office. Fields are workplaces.

From experience, the lovely farm fields opposite to where you're moving could well be full of new Barrett homes in a few years' time. Does the farmer own the land he farms? Or is he a tenant farmer? Don't take anything for granted.

I wouldn’t buy the house then because even if the current farmer said yes how do you know that the next one will and no field will be accessible every day. If stock are in or crops are growing you’d need to stay away. If you don’t t like where the house is don't buy it.

To be honest OP, the best thing you can do is buy yourself a dayglo pink hi-vis, and your dogs reflective pale blue coats, and walk them along the road, like the rest of us do.

I run on similar roads and just make sure I am very visible. People will slow down.

Also check an ordinance survey map as Pp suggested. There may already be a footpath.

Oh, yes, forgot to mention: If pasture, then ... cows. Bloody bastard scary cows. Used to be fine with them til one broke my finger the bastard.

I live on a narrow country lane like this and yes, despite two cars not being able to pass, some people do bomb along. However I still walk my dog, most people when seeing me, slow right down. I also stand as far in to the hedge as possible, so they can pass. People that use the lane regularly, will get used to seeing you.

There is no way on EARTH I would ask the local farmers if I could walk my dog on their land. He’d say no. Whilst there may not be livestock there now, it’s not to say there won’t be next month. It’s his land, don’t ask. Imagine if someone you never met was thinking about moving to your street and using your drive once a day just for 5 mins during the school run? You’d laugh at the audacity.