Sleeping Under The Stars!

Wild camping is once again allowed on Dartmoor after the national park won a successful appeal against a ruling in a case brought by a wealthy landowner.

Camping had been assumed to be allowed under the Dartmoor Commons Act since 1985, until a judge ruled otherwise in January. It was the only place in England such an activity was allowed without requiring permission from a landowner.

The case hinged on whether wild camping counted as open-air recreation, leading to a long debate in the court of appeal. Lawyers acting for Alexander Darwall, the landowner, argued it was not, because when camping one was only sleeping rather than enjoying a particular activity.

Lawyers for the Dartmoor National Park Authority and Open Spaces Society argued that backpack camping was an ancient tradition and popular pastime on Dartmoor, and gazing at the stars before waking to the sound of the morning chorus was certainly open-air recreation.

“We are delighted with the Court of Appeal’s conclusions in this landmark case,” says Pamela Woods, Chair of Dartmoor National Park Authority.“We firmly believed the legislation which formed the focus of this case – the Dartmoor Commons Act – allowed for backpack camping on certain areas of common land as a form of open-air recreation without the need to get landowners permission first.

The Authority has also reiterated its commitment to working with commoners and landowners to ensure that people continue to backpack responsibly in certain areas and leave not trace of their visit.

Dr Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive/National Park Officer for Dartmoor National Park Authority, says: 

"We have sought to defend the public’s right to enjoy the National Park though this case. It is equally important that those exercising that right recognise that they have a responsibility to help look after the National Park – we want people from all parts of our society to enjoy Dartmoor responsibly and with respect to landowners, farmers and local communities.”