Supreme Court Confirms Right to Wild Camp on Dartmoor

Dartmoor Wild Camping Update: Supreme Court Ruling

August 06 2025, by Laurence Kay
3 min reading time

On 21st May 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the Public's Right to Wild Camp on Dartmoor!

In a huge win for outdoor enthusiasts, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled to uphold the public's right to wild camp on Dartmoor Commons.

This decision overturns a previous High Court judgment and confirms Dartmoor as the only place in England and Wales where you can wild camp without needing landowner permission.

The Legal Challenge: Darwall vs DNPA

The case, Darwall and another v Dartmoor National Park Authority, focused on whether "open-air recreation," as defined in the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, includes overnight camping.

Landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall argued it didn’t, citing concerns about livestock and environmental impact.

What the Supreme Court Said…

But the Supreme Court disagreed, saying camping absolutely falls under "open-air recreation."

The judges even pointed out that limiting the term to just walking or riding horses would make no sense – it would exclude activities like picnicking!

The court also highlighted that the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) is better equipped to manage public access responsibly than private landowners taking matters into their own hands with trespass claims.

Reaction from the DNPA…

Unsurprisingly, the DNPA was thrilled with the decision. Dr. Kevin Bishop, DNPA’s Chief Executive, called it a "landmark judgment" and celebrated it as a victory for public access and those who’ve fought for it.

He also reinforced the DNPA’s commitment to managing this access responsibly.

Responsible Camping on Dartmoor Still Matters

At the same time, the DNPA and groups like the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) and Open Spaces Society (OSS) reminded everyone of the importance of camping responsibly.

Campers are urged to follow the code of conduct: leave no trace, don’t light fires, and respect the environment and livestock.

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Credit: @lovedartmoor on Instagram.com

What This Means for the Future of Wild Camping in England

This decision ends a legal battle that’s sparked national debate about public access to land in England.

Campaigners are now pushing for the government to expand wild camping rights to other areas in England and Wales, such as the Lake District, taking inspiration from Scotland’s open access laws.

Wood To Water’s Thoughts…

The team at Wood To Water would like to acknowledge this landmark ruling for the wild camping community and celebrate the opening up of access to our country's natural beauty spots.

We know that our customers will be happy about this ruling and access the wild camping spots on Dartmoor in a respectful way that protects the natural beauty and the delicate ecosystem of the area.

Could this be the start of something bigger?

Time will tell, but for now, it’s a big moment for public access and wild camping on Dartmoor!

Explore More of Our Wild Camping Guides

Learn more about wild camping in the UK with the Wood To Water blog!

From finding the perfect wild camping rucksack to understanding the current punishments for wild camping illegally in the UK, we've got it all covered.