Supreme Court to decide future of wild camping on Dartmoor

On 8 October, the Supreme Court will decide whether wild camping on Dartmoor will continue. Five judges will review the case, with campaigners from The Stars Are For Everyone and Right to Roam gathering outside the court, urging the government to create better laws for public access to the countryside.

In January 2023, Dartmoor landowner Alexander Darwall won a High Court case against Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), removing the public’s right to wild camp. This sparked a protest of 3,500 people on his land at Stall Moor, leading the National Park to appeal. The High Court later ruled in favour of allowing wild camping to continue on Dartmoor.

However, Darwall is now taking the case to the Supreme Court, putting Dartmoor's status as the only place in England where wild camping is legal at risk again.

Campaigners have organised rallies on Dartmoor and in London to push the government to improve and expand public access rights.

Speaking on behalf of The Stars Are For Everyone, Frankie Gould said: “If Darwall wins his case, there will be no further opportunity for appeal. Wild camping rights will cease to exist in England, and the continued ability for individuals and groups to sleep under Dartmoor’s stars will be lost.

But there’s a bigger issue at stake here. The fact that a landowner is able to challenge our generations-deep right to sleep under the stars on Dartmoor points to the fragility and inadequacy of our current access system.”

Lewis Winks from Right to Roam added: “Restoring wild camping rights to this tiny patch of England is not enough. Across the country we hear accounts of micro-enclosures, footpath blockages, access islands, and vast areas with little or no existing access to the countryside. The campaign for wild camping on Dartmoor is just one example of many. We’ve seen enough to know that it’s just a matter of time before another Darwall comes along to reduce, exclude and deny access to the places we love.

"Whichever way the court rules, Darwall vs DNPA has galvanised huge numbers of people to demand we do better for England. We'll be outside court on the 8th October, alongside our allies, with a firm message: Win or lose, we need new legislation to protect and extend our access to the countryside.”

Speaking on behalf of Dartmoor Preservation Association, Tom Usher said: “The generosity of the public has enabled the national park authority to defend the right to wild camp in court up to this point – we’ve still got a long way to go, with Darwall being able to vastly outspend a cash-strapped public body. We’d encourage anyone who is able to donate to the fundraising efforts. Should the national park win the case these funds will be used to support young people to have amazing experiences on Dartmoor.”

Rallies will be held at Hound Tor on 6 October at 3pm and outside the Supreme Court in London on 8 October at 11am.