In a dramatic legal showdown, the UK Supreme Court has affirmed a long-held right: you can still wild camp on Dartmoor Commons without needing the landowner’s permission. Judges ruled unanimously on 21 May that the Dartmoor Commons Act of 1985 clearly covers overnight camping as “open-air recreation,” overturning a previous ruling and silencing a bid by hedge fund manager Alexander Darwall to restrict public camping on his vast Dartmoor estate. As The Guardian reported, this ruling cements Dartmoor as the only place in England where wild camping is legally protected.
The journey to this decision has been long. Darwall, one of Dartmoor’s largest private landowners, argued that the 1985 Act only permits foot or horseback access for recreation, not setting up tents. But campaigners from the Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Open Spaces Society, and Right to Roam countered that camping is a legitimate recreational activity once people are on the land, and common sense supported that view. With the Court of Appeal overturning the earlier High Court ruling in mid-2023, and the Supreme Court now backing it too, Dartmoor campers can rest easy, at least here.
Why this matters, and what it says about access to nature
This isn’t just about tents and campsites. This ruling is about who owns nature—urban elites or everyone—and how deeply Britain values access to the outdoors. Dartmoor Commons cover some 359 km² (nearly all of the National Park’s open ground), and for decades campers, hikers, and families have pitched tents here with public understanding rather than written permission.
The Supreme Court focused on Section 10(1) of the Act, which grants “right of access… on foot and on horseback for the purpose of open‑air recreation.” The judges agreed that after reaching the land by foot or horse, “open‑air recreation” can reasonably include camping. Multiple outlets highlighted that view: as Financial Times reported, “camping is a form of open-air recreation” and “on foot and on horseback” just describes how people arrive, not how they enjoy the land.
Of course, these rights come with responsibility. DNPA and campaign groups emphasise that campers must obey park bylaws—no fires, no littering, and no pitching near roads. As Kevin Bishop, chief executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority, put it, this is a right to camp, not a licence to trash the place. The “leave no trace” ethos is central to keeping both access and nature protected.
A wider call for access, and what lies ahead
The ruling has reignited calls in Parliament to extend wild camping rights across England and Wales. Currently, only 8 per cent of English land allows public camping, compared to Scotland’s liberal “right to roam” approach since 2003. Labour MPs like Phil Brickell and Andy MacNae have urged the government to bring in similar legislation, including access for walkers, campers, kayakers and climbers, through a full Right to Roam Act. The Liberal Democrats have also thrown their weight behind broader access reforms.
Outdoor organisations share the excitement. Ruth Marvel, CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, told The Guardian that this decision supports young people’s ability to connect with nature, fostering independence, mental resilience and appreciation for the environment. As she put it, wild camping offers “invaluable experiences of solitude, independence and adventure”—things that matter more than ever in today’s world.
Still, ministers have urged caution. The government’s environment secretary said access should expand “not as a free-for-all”, preserving space for responsible use while safeguarding conservation. Conservative voices worry that widespread access without clear rules could harm fragile habitats. For now, Dartmoor remains a unique case—a testing ground for what access might look like across England if backed by clear guidelines and infrastructure.
This Supreme Court decision isn’t just about Dartmoor. It’s a crossroads moment. It reaffirms that nature isn’t a luxury for the few, but a shared resource. The judges didn’t write a new law. Instead, they reaffirmed an old one, recognising that camping under the stars is part of “open-air recreation.” What matters next is what we do with that ruling: whether this becomes a stepping stone to more generous access nationwide, or a rare island of wild freedom in a tightly fenced countryside.