Supreme Court Upholds Wild Camping Rights on Dartmoor

The UK Supreme Court has ruled that wild camping on Dartmoor is a legal form of 'open-air recreation' under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, thereby upholding the public's right to camp on the moor. This unanimous decision rejected an appeal by landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall, who argued that camping was not covered by the Act and sought to restrict access on their land. The ruling affirmed that activities such as camping, picnicking, and birdwatching are encompassed within open-air recreation, emphasizing that the right to camp comes with the responsibility to camp responsibly and leave no trace. Dartmoor National Park Authority welcomed the judgment and called for continued collaboration with landowners and communities to protect the area's natural environment while ensuring fair access. The ruling has sparked calls from campaigners and MPs to extend similar wild camping rights more broadly across the UK, inspired by Scotland's more permissive laws. This landmark case preserves a unique English tradition and highlights the balance between public rights and environmental stewardship.