Delight as Supreme Court rules on Dartmoor wild camping

'This is a landmark judgement'

Wild camping on Dartmoor has been ruled legal by the Supreme Court - and Dartmoor National Park Authority says it is ‘delighted and relieved’ at the judgement.

Chief executive Dr Kevin Bishop said Wednesday's ruling reaffirmed the authority’s belief that camping on the moor is ‘open-air recreation’ was a right established by the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.

It sits alongside picnicking, birdwatching and sketching wildlife as recreational pursuits.

Dr Bishop said: “We are delighted and relieved with the Supreme Court’s ruling. This is a landmark judgment not just for Dartmoor National Park but also for people who have long campaigned for access rights.

“The judgment reaffirms our long-held belief for the public’s right to backpack camp on certain commons and, importantly, our role in regulating and managing that access.

“It is important to note that it is not a blanket right to camp wherever, or do whatever, you want. With the right comes a responsibility to make sure that you tread lightly and leave no trace.”

Dr Bishop said the authority had been ‘robust’ in defending the right to backpack camp, and would be just as robust in making sure people exercised their rights responsibly.

“Now is the time to look forward and to work together for the good of Dartmoor,” he added. “We will continue to work with commoners, all landowners, communities and partners to protect Dartmoor’s nature, beauty and history while ensuring fair access for all and respect for the natural environment.”

Dartmoor (image courtesy: Guy Henderson)

And he said he hoped the Labour government, which had supported the authority’s action while in opposition, would give it the resources to manage responsible access in future.

Judges at the Supreme Court unanimously rejected an appeal by landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall, who said people should not be able to camp without permission from landowners.

The Darwalls own a stretch of the southern end of the moor near Cornwood.

The legal wrangle hinged on the definition of the word ‘recreation’ in a Dartmoor by-law that states "the public shall have a right of access to the commons on foot and on horseback for the purpose of open-air recreation".

The Darwalls had questioned whether ‘recreation’ included the right to camp.

Caroline Voaden (Image courtesy: UK Parliament)

South Devon’s Liberal Democrat MP Caroline Voaden (pictured) welcomed the ruling, saying it could pave the way for extending wild camping rights across the rest of the country.

“I’m absolutely thrilled,” she said. “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.

“Wild camping is good for body and soul - I’m very pleased the judges could see this.  

“It’s a shame this had to be tested yet again in the courtroom. Now this is over, I hope we can begin work to extend our right to wild camp beyond Dartmoor.

“In opposition, Labour spoke about extending the right to wild camp across the UK. I hope they will put those words into action and expand access rights for walkers and campers across the country.”