Supreme Court confirms wild camping right on Dartmoor

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has upheld the legal right to wild camp in Dartmoor National Park, located in Devon, England. This decision concludes a lengthy legal battle that began in 2022 when the landowners, the Darwalls, challenged the validity of wild camping under the 1985 Dartmoor Commons Act. The court's ruling is significant as it reinforces the public's right to access land for recreational activities, including overnight camping, without needing permission from landowners. Although wild camping is allowed on Dartmoor, it remains restricted on most private land throughout England. The Dartmoor Commons Act explicitly grants the public access to the commons for open-air recreation, which the judges interpreted as encompassing camping. This ruling may prompt discussions about public access to land in England, a topic that has been contentious for years. While Scotland has a long-established right to wild camp under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, England has no general right to wild camp, making Dartmoor a unique case. The Dartmoor National Park Authority and various conservation groups welcomed the ruling as a validation of their long-held belief in the importance of access rights and their role in managing that access responsibly. The authority has stated that it will work hard to ensure that wild camping is conducted in a manner that respects landowners and the environment. However, camping is not permitted everywhere, and specific regulations dictate where and how campers can set up tents within Dartmoor. The ruling has generated enthusiasm among campaigners advocating for broader access to the countryside. Some have expressed hope that this decision may lead to legislative changes that could extend the right to wild camp to other areas in England and Wales. Public interest in wild camping has surged, with many people asserting that access to nature is essential for well-being and happiness, reinforcing the notion that the stars are indeed for everyone.