21-05-2025
Supreme Court rules public has a right to wild camp on Dartmoor
The Supreme Court has ruled that people have the right to wild camp on Dartmoor.
Five justices unanimously dismissed a legal challenge brought by landowner Alexander Darwell
The legal battles over wild camping have been ongoing for the past two years.
In January 2023 Alexander Darwall succeeded in the High Court in a case against the Dartmoor National Park Authority, removing the right to wild camp.
Following a protest of 3,500 people on his land at Stall Moor the National Park appealed, and a unanimous verdict was reached by the High Court judges - wild camping on Dartmoor was to remain.
Reacting to the Supreme Court's ruling that the public can wild camp on Dartmoor, Caroline Voaden, Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, said: 'I'm absolutely thrilled with this ruling.
'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.'
