Dartmoor’s Right to Wild Camp Overturned

After a successful case from a wealthy landowner

Read time 4 mins

Published Jan 13, 2023

Base editorial team
BASE editorial team BASE writers and editors who live and breathe adventure every day. We love adventure storytelling as much as we love adventure itself.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority had been fighting to maintain full access to the moor, arguing that a tradition of backpack camping on Dartmoor that had existed for decades and was included in the definition in section 10 of open-air recreation.

Chief Executive/National Park Officer for Dartmoor National Park Authority, Dr Kevin Bishop said: ‘We are really disappointed with the outcome but obviously respect the judgment.’

We should be increasing, not impairing people’s ability to spend time in nature

The Darwall’s case is first appeal that has been made in the 36 years of the bylaws being in place and puts important introductory outdoor events such as the Ten Tors and Duke of Edinburgh award expeditions into jeopardy.

Lewis Winks from The Stars are for Everyone campaign, which is fighting for the right to wild camp on the moor, said: ‘To lose this right at a time when nature connectedness in Britain is the lowest across the whole of Europe is a travesty. We should be increasing, not impairing people’s ability to spend time in nature.

‘We pledge to continue to fight for access to wild places, and for future generations to be able to sleep under the night sky; to have experiences which echo through lives.’

For many of us, wild camping is a cornerstone of spending time in the outdoors, be that hiking, biking or just enjoying our wild spaces, and those experiences can prove to be transformative.

Have you spent time wild camping on Dartmoor, perhaps as part of the Ten Tors of Duke of Edinburgh, or as part of your own escape or adventure? If so, we’d love to hear about it and your thoughts on this ruling in the comments below.

Don’t miss a single adventure

Sign up to our free newsletter and get a weekly BASE hit to your inbox

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • email

Other posts by this author

BASE editorial team • August 07, 2024

Olympic Surfing Competition Photobombed by Whale!

An unexpected visitor joins the semi-finals in Tahiti!

BASE editorial team • March 22, 2024

Warmshowers Unveils New Website For Touring Cyclists And Hosts

Warmshowers.org Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to connecting touring cyclists with generous hosts worldwide, unveils a new website.

BASE editorial team • December 05, 2023

Win A Picture Organic Clothing Snow Day Bundle

Fancy getting your mitts on a cosy winter bundle from Picture Organic Clothing AND the next two issues of BASE magazine for free? Read on to find out how...

You might also like

BASE editorial team • August 07, 2024

Olympic Surfing Competition Photobombed by Whale!

An unexpected visitor joins the semi-finals in Tahiti!

BASE editorial team • March 22, 2024

Warmshowers Unveils New Website For Touring Cyclists And Hosts

Warmshowers.org Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to connecting touring cyclists with generous hosts worldwide, unveils a new website.

BASE editorial team • December 05, 2023

Win A Picture Organic Clothing Snow Day Bundle

Fancy getting your mitts on a cosy winter bundle from Picture Organic Clothing AND the next two issues of BASE magazine for free? Read on to find out how...