Right To Wild Camp On Dartmoor Is Lost

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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.”

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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?

Join in the discussion here.

While you’re here…

The Trespasser’s Companion – A field guide to reclaiming what is already ours
Access Rights: Be Nice, Say Hi, Ask Why

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Discussion

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  • Wild Campers lose on Dartmoor
  • poly
    Free Member

    Perhaps it could be defined as “self sufficient camping” or similar where transport must be han powered. Shelter must be of the variety used for hiking.

    the Scottish outdoor access code refers to Lightweight Camping.  Nobody seems to want to define that, but my assumption when I first saw it drafted was it meant you could carry all your equipment yourself (in your rucksack, on your bike, in your kayak etc).  If you are making multiple trips back and forth to unpack the car you are not lightweight camping in my opinion.  Whilst many people look on the Scottish approach as desirable it actually creates as issue, by permitting responsible access (including camping) but giving neither land managers nor local authorities any useful power to eject or prosecute those who are acting irresponsibly.  That has fed the roadside campers and wild campervans (an oxymoron) – because even if they are beyond the scope of the LRA, anything beyond telling them to move is difficult.  No government will want to be seen as the party that curbed walker/cyclist/canoeist/equestrian access rights so is walking a very fine balance if it tries to fix it now.   That said road traffic laws etc could probably already be used (possibly with new TROs) to control the worst issues – but as Rishi is showing, nobody wants to be seen to be “anti-motorist” either – even when most people would not be affected and most people want the problem sorted!

    Posted 9 months ago
    CountZero
    Full Member

    and/or organise a pedants’ revolt.

    Led by Which Tyler…

    Posted 9 months ago
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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.

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