US EditionPublic does have right to wild camp on Dartmoor, Supreme Court rules
- On Wednesday, the UK Supreme Court unanimously affirmed that the public is permitted to camp freely on Dartmoor Commons within Devon National Park.
- The ruling addressed disagreements over a 1985 law that permits public access to the Dartmoor commons for outdoor activities but did not explicitly state whether camping was allowed.
- The appeal overturned a High Court decision barring overnight tents without landowner consent, with judges emphasizing a broad interpretation of 'open-air recreation' to include wild camping.
- Key statements include Richard Honey KC calling the claim that pitching tents causes damage ‘absurd’ and Sir Geoffrey Vos noting the ‘critical question’ is if camping counts as recreation.
- The decision affirms public camping rights subject to bylaws, suggesting public regulation better protects Dartmoor's commons than private landowner challenges.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Supreme Court rules public have right to wild camp on Dartmoor
The Supreme Court has given the public permission to go wild … wild camping that is. Judges ruled that people have the right to camp anywhere in Dartmoor National Park in Devon without landowner permission – dismissing a legal challenge. We spoke to campaigner Guy Shrubsole, who joined us on the phone from the celebrations in Dartmoor.
Public Has the Right to Wild Camp on Dartmoor, Supreme Court Rules
The public does have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, the Supreme Court has ruled. Five justices unanimously ruled on Wednesday that the term “recreation” in the law governing the use of the national park in Devon is used “without qualification as to the form which it should take.” Two landowners, Alexander and Diana Darwall, had challenged a Court of Appeal ruling at the UK’s highest court, which said the law allows the public to camp on the…
Delight as Supreme Court rules on Dartmoor wild camping
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, writes Local Democracy Reporter Guy Henderson.
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