Dartmoor campaigners ‘thrilled’ as wild camping rights restored

The public has the right to wild camp on Dartmoor without needing landowners’ permission, the UK Supreme Court has ruled.

The decision, made on Tuesday, May 21, overturns a legal challenge brought by Dartmoor landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall, and confirms that wild camping is a lawful form of recreation under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.

The ruling ends a 17-month legal battle that began in January 2023, when the Darwalls successfully argued in the High Court that wild camping did not constitute a permitted activity on their land. 

That ruling was later overturned by the Court of Appeal, a decision now upheld by the UK’s highest court.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court found that wild camping qualifies as “open-air recreation” and therefore falls within the rights granted to the public under the 1985 Act.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority, which brought the appeal, said it was “delighted and relieved” by the decision.

Teen-led environmental group Roots welcomed the ruling. 

Lucas Brendon, 16, Head of Media for the group, said: “This is an incredible day for everyone who loves the outdoors and believes in the principle that nature belongs to all of us. When a wealthy individual attempted to privatise experiences that have shaped British cultural identity for generations, our democratic institutions stood firm. This ruling affirms what our generation has been saying: connection to nature is not a privilege to be bought it’s a birthright to be protected.”

Mr Brendon said the group would continue working to promote responsible access, particularly among young people.

“While celebrating this victory, we recognise that access comes with responsibility. Our generation wants more than just the right to access nature. We want to be active stewards of it. We will do all we can to spread responsible access education among young people on Dartmoor which is critical for becoming stewards of our commons.”

The ruling came shortly after Roots hosted an art competition for young people focused on Dartmoor. 

Mr Brendon said the “hundreds of submissions” received showed a strong connection to the landscape among young people.

“This ruling ensures they’ll have the chance to form those deep connections that inspire lifelong environmental stewardship,” he said.

Campaign group The Stars are for Everyone, which organised protests after the original ruling in favour of the Darwalls, also welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision.

Lewis Winks, from the group, said: “The verdict is a relief and huge win for the thousands of people who have campaigned so hard to retain the right to wild camp on Dartmoor. However, Dartmoor remains the only place in England and Wales where the public has a right to wild camp. The fact that one wealthy landowner was able to temporarily remove a right that belonged to everyone demonstrates how England’s system of access is utterly broken. The Government must now pass a new Right to Roam Act to defend and extend the public’s rights to access nature in England.”

South Devon MP Caroline Voaden said the ruling confirmed “something we’ve all known for a long time”.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with this ruling. It is a vindication of something we’ve all known for a long time – that the stars are for everyone, and that access to nature is not a nice-to-have, but a fundamental necessity for a happy, healthy life,” she said.

“In opposition, Labour spoke about extending the right to wild camp across the UK. I hope they will put those words into action.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling applies only to Dartmoor, which remains the only place in England and Wales where the public has a right to wild camp without landowner permission.