Joy across Dartmoor as wild camping rights upheld

Celebrations were held last night (21 May) across Dartmoor as the Supreme Court delivered its unanimous decision to uphold the public’s right to wild camp on the moor.

The ruling brings an end to a long-running legal dispute brought by wealthy landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall, who had sought to prevent wild camping on their estate within the national park.

The Court confirmed that the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 permits wild camping as a form of “open-air recreation,” thereby securing Dartmoor’s unique status as the only place in England and Wales where people can legally wild camp without landowner permission.

In Cornwood, a village outside the national park, locals took to the streets to celebrate the verdict. Music and a strong sense of unity marked the occasion as residents expressed relief and joy at the preservation of their historic rights.

The Darwalls told the BBC they were “disappointed” by the judgment, adding: “Hollowing out the role of landowners and farmers will not improve the vitality of the Dartmoor Commons.”

The case had drawn national attention, becoming a flashpoint in the broader debate over land access in England.

While just 8 per cent of the country is currently accessible under the right to roam, Scotland allows far broader access, including wild camping, under the Land Reform Act 2003.

Campaigners and outdoor groups hailed the ruling as a vital win for public access, heritage, and environmental education.

Dartmoor National Park Authority also welcomed the decision, reiterating its commitment to promoting responsible access across the moor.