"Dartmoor offers a billion-star lodging experience akin to a hotel": The significance of wild camping explained
In a Victory for Wild Camping in Dartmoor National Park
In a groundbreaking decision, the Supreme Court of the UK ruled that the public legally has the right to camp in Dartmoor without requiring the landowner's permission. The historic ruling comes after a two-year legal battle initiated by the Blachford Estate owners, Alexander and Diana Darwall.
The Darwalls argued that wild camping posed risks to their livestock and the environment, asserting that the 1985 Dartmoor Commons Act only provides access for activities such as walking and horseback riding, not camping[1][3]. However, the Supreme Court unanimously dismissed their appeal, recognizing that camping falls under the umbrella of "open-air recreation."
Over the past two years, the Darwalls spent substantial amounts on legal fees, with the National Park Authority likely being liable if they succeed[1]. The case, sparking controversey and drawing the ire of access campaigners and the public at large, is now finally put to rest. In a recent article for our platform, the Darwalls laid out their claims regarding the negative impacts of wild camping on Dartmoor.
According to the Darwalls, pressures from visitor numbers, erosion damage, the safety of wildlife, and anti-social behavior of campers are reasons for concern[2]. However, after examining the evidence, it becomes apparent that such concerns are largely overblown.
Wilderness Myths and Reality
Dartmoor is far from untouched by human hands, and the reasons behind its degraded condition have little to do with public access or wild camping. Natural England, the government's advisor on nature, points to drainage, agricultural burning, and grazing pressures as primary concerns for the ecosystem[2].
Land mismanagement is the primary factor affecting Dartmoor's condition. A report by the Fursden, cited by the Darwalls, investigating damages to Dartmoor's protected sites found no evidence implicating access or wild camping[2]. In fact, public access ranks low on the list of issues affecting protected sites nationwide, while agriculture comes in at number one[2].
To imply that wild camping poses a significant threat to Dartmoor's conservation is severely misleading. Evidence consistently shows the mismanagement of common lands by landowners and commoners, incentivized by decades of short-sighted subsidies[2].
Deceptive Claims and Facts
The Darwalls argue that footfall and the overnight establishment of camping tents disturb Dartmoor's ground, affecting ground-nesting insects such as ground-nesting bees. On the contrary, the footprint of such activities is minimal and pale in comparison to the potential risks associated with the Darwalls' own estate, as they previously established a pheasant pen next to a National Nature Reserve[2].
Wildfires in Dartmoor have been a challenge in recent years, but only a very small percentage of uncontrolled wildfires stem from accidents associated with wild camping. A decades-long data analysis obtained from the fire service shows that 93% of out-of-control wildfires occurred outside of the wild camping zone and Special Area of Conservation and peaked during March and April, the season for burning of heather and gorse to encourage fodder for grazing animals[2].
Despite these misleading arguments, wild camping remains a valuable tradition with a long history on Dartmoor. The practice dates back to the turn of the century and has opened up life-shaping opportunities for both young and old through experiences of long-distance walking and multi-day adventures[2].
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The right to camp on 70,000 acres of Dartmoor, representing just 0.2% of England, provides an invaluable sense of freedom and choice to those who enjoy wild camping. As the ongoing legal battle concludes, it is imperative to recognize the rich customary heritage, safeguard the precious connection with nature, and prevent arbitrary attrition of public access to this cherished wilderness.
Sources:[1] BBC News; [2] The Guardian; [3] The Conversation; [4] The Telegraph; [5] The Times
- The historic ruling in favor of wild camping in Dartmoor National Park expands the definition of open-air recreation, allowing outdoor-living enthusiasts to include home-and-garden activities like home-based sports as part of their lifestyle.
- living With the recent legal victory for wild camping in Dartmoor, outdoor-living advocates can now incorporate sports activities like hiking, birdwatching, and fishing into their home-and-garden pastimes, enhancing their lifestyle in this cherished wilderness.
