Thousands expected to rally on Dartmoor to call for new Right to Roam law

Thousands of campaigners are set to gather this Bank Holiday Monday (26th May) at Haytor on Dartmoor, rallying for a new Right to Roam Act that would significantly expand public access to the countryside across England.

The gathering follows a landmark decision by the UK Supreme Court, which upheld the public’s right to wild camp on Dartmoor, ending a long-running legal battle brought by wealthy landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall. The ruling was hailed as a major victory by access campaigners but also a reminder, they say, of how fragile such rights remain.

The event is being organised by Right to Roam and The Stars Are For Everyone, two groups advocating for wider legal protections for public access to nature. While Dartmoor is now the only place in England and Wales where wild camping is explicitly legal, campaigners argue that far more needs to be done to protect and extend public access to the outdoors.

Emma Linford from The Stars Are For Everyone said:

“The Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the right to wild camp on Dartmoor is a powerful and heartening moment. But it’s also a wake-up call.
“While our existing rights have been defended, this case has exposed just how limited our access to nature truly is. The fact that one landowner came so close to extinguishing a centuries-old tradition, enjoyed by millions, shows just how fragile our current access rights truly are. And why should Dartmoor be the only place in England and Wales where it’s legal to wild camp?
“After this week’s victory we’re calling on the Government to enshrine greater access rights for everyone in law, to ensure they can never be eroded again.”

In contrast to England, Scotland’s Land Reform Act 2003 provides the public with a legal right of responsible access to most land and inland waters, including wild camping. Campaigners are pushing for similar protections to be introduced across the rest of the UK.

Guy Shrubsole from Right to Roam added:

“It’s time for change. We need a new Right to Roam Act to defend and extend our right to responsibly roam, swim, and wild camp across England; not just on Dartmoor, but through forests, along rivers, over hills, and in wild spaces nationwide.
“We draw inspiration from the freedoms enjoyed for decades in Scotland and Scandinavia. And we’re committed to making that vision a reality here.”

Monday’s Rally Details

The rally will begin at 12 noon on Monday, 26th May at Haytor, with attendees encouraged to arrive early or make a day of it by hiking across the moors. Organisers expect large numbers and are asking participants to walk to Haytor where possible or make use of limited parking and coach services from Newton Abbot train station.

Key Guidelines for Attendees:

• No dogs due to bird nesting season and local wildlife protections

• Bring appropriate clothing, food, water, and first aid if possible

• Respect the land - take all litter with you and avoid disturbing wildlife

• Avoid restricted bird nesting areas as identified by Dartmoor National Park Authority

• Do not approach or feed Dartmoor’s ponies

  If you plan to walk, please select the ‘I'll make my own way’ option when booking tickets (free but needed to allow organisers ideas of numbers) as this helps to give us an idea of numbers to expect.

• If you are unable to walk from a location further away, we’d encourage you to arrive earlier in order to be able to park at one of the three nearby car parks.

• If you are planning on travelling by train, we are running coaches from Newton Abbot Train station. There are two departure times from Newton Abbot, and two times for returning in the afternoon. Please select the appropriate ticket on Eventbrite. We are charging a small fee per seat in order to recover our costs as much as possible. If this is a barrier to you attending please contact hello@righttoroam.org.uk

As part of the rally, participants are also invited to create and bring a handmade “star” decorated with a personal message about what the right to roam means to them, highlighting the campaign’s call for everyone to have the freedom to sleep under the stars.

Organisers say the recent court victory is only the beginning of a broader movement to restore lost rights and open up more of the English countryside to the public.

Campaigners are urging supporters to donate to the Right to Roam campaign, which remains a grassroots effort funded almost entirely through small individual donations. Funds raised will help cover the cost of the rally and future campaigning efforts.

“In light of the wild camping ruling, we now need to move the conversation on—this has always been bigger than Dartmoor,” organisers said. “It’s time for a Right to Roam Act—new legislation to protect, restore and extend our access to the countryside.”

For more information and to book coach travel, attendees can visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dartmoor-rally-to-extend-public-access-to-the-countryside-tickets-1097127049539