Right To Wild Camp On Dartmoor Is Lost

by 0

The BBC is reporting that the landowners of the Dartmoor estate have won their case to prevent wild camping on their land.

Campaigners and the Dartmoor National Park Authority had hoped to argue that the right to wild camp on Dartmoor was protected as part of historical ‘commons’ rights. However, this has failed in the two day court hearing.

This judgement removes the right to wild camp without permission on all but a small area of Dartmoor National Park, known as Stall Moor. This 11 square kilometre area is now the only place in England where wild camping is legal.

A bivvy and tarp set up to spend the night after a day riding Cycling UK’s West Kernow Way, June 2021. Cycling UK has promoted responsible wild camping, despite the lack of legal rights in England.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns said:

“This case demonstrates how legislation on public access to the countryside needs radical overhaul in order to provide access to a wider range of outdoor activities like cycling and wild camping. Increased opportunities for the public to access our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding National Beauty are recommended in the Government’s Glover review – now is the time to act and enshrine these in law.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Right to Roam (@right.2roam)

Labour has indicated that it will seek to increase the right to roam if it wins the next election, while the Green Party’s Caroline Lucas has been a vocal supporter of increased access. Pencils at the ready, then?

While the question of whether you had the right to ride a bike to your wild camp spot was already a thorny one, with Dartmoor’s broader cycling access rights being a point of contention, this total loss of rights is a blow to those hoping to open up the countryside to all. Landowner 1, Commoners Nil. What’s next?

While you’re here…

https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/the-trespassers-companion-a-field-guide-to-reclaiming-what-is-already-ours/
https://singletrackworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/access-rights-be-nice-say-hi-ask-why/

Join our mailing list to receive Singletrack editorial wisdom directly in your inbox.

Each newsletter is headed up by an exclusive editorial from our team and includes stories and news you don’t want to miss.

Signing up to our mailing list is not only a great way to keep up-to-date on all things Singletrack but it is also a great, free way to support us.

Sign up to receive awesome editorial content from Hannah every week.

We appreciate how handing over your email address is a mark of your trust in us. Check your inbox for our confirmation email and click the link to activate your newsletter.
We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Check out a previous newsletter here

Discussion

[bbp-single-topic id=12685115]

Author Profile Picture
Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

More posts from Hannah