Dear Roamers,
There’s just one place in England where it’s legal to wild camp: Dartmoor National Park. Now that right is once again under threat.
On 8th October, five judges of the Supreme Court will decide the fate of this beloved and historic freedom. We’ll be outside court from 11am on the day of the hearing to rally in solidarity with Dartmoor National Park Authority and demand greater legal protections and much needed extensions of our access rights. If you can - come and join us. We're also rallying on Dartmoor on the 6th of October - details below.
This follows two years of tireless organising, legal interventions and creative campaigning by a broad coalition of groups intent on not allowing wild camping to become a memory of Dartmoor’s past.
In late 2022 news spread that a wealthy Dartmoor landowner was to take Dartmoor National Park Authority to court to challenge the bylaws of the Dartmoor Commons Act. On an October night, camping on Stall Moor, a small group from Right to Roam and The Stars Are For Everyone plotted to defend this ancient custom, and to resist this attempt to rob us of the stars. In January 2023 the landowner, Alexander Darwall, won the first round in court. But it was a pyrrhic victory. A huge backlash saw thousands of us gather in protest on his land at Stall Moor. Buoyed by the reaction, the National Park appealed, and a unanimous verdict was reached: Wild camping on Dartmoor was to remain. But Darwall has deep pockets, and is now ‘appealing the appeal’ and taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court.
Once again, this last bastion of wild camping rights is under threat. If Darwall wins his case, there will be no further recourse for appeal. Wild camping rights will cease to exist in England, and the continued ability for individuals and groups to sleep under Dartmoor’s stars will be at the behest of the landowners through flimsy, often costly, permissive arrangements.
But there’s a bigger issue at stake here. The fact that a single landowner is able to challenge our generations-deep ability to sleep under the stars on Dartmoor only points to the fragility and inadequacy of our current access model.
Restoring wild camping rights to this tiny patch of England is not enough. Across the country we hear accounts of micro-enclosures, footpath blockages, access islands, and vast areas with little or no existing access to the countryside. The campaign for wild camping on Dartmoor is just one example of many. We’ve seen enough to know that it’s just a matter of time before another Darwall comes along to reduce, exclude and deny access to the places we love.
Whichever way the court rules, Darwall vs DNPA has galvanised huge numbers of people to demand we do better for England.
We'll be outside court on the 8th October, alongside our allies, with a firm message:
Win or lose, we need new legislation to protect and extend our access to the countryside.
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How to Help
Here are some things coming up to get involved with, and ways to help in the run up to the Supreme Court hearing:
Our Land - 25th September
On the 25th of September we’re showing three short films followed by a panel discussion and Q&A at Ashburton Arts Centre in South Devon. The films and the discussion will be livestreamed by the venue - if you’d like a link to view online please email boxoffice@ashburtonarts.org.uk and you will be sent details on the day.
Dartmoor Rally - 6th October
Gather at Hound Tor on Dartmoor at 3pm on Sunday 6th October, in solidarity with Dartmoor National Park Authority before the start of the Supreme Court challenge. If you can, please walk from Haytor (where there is ample parking) to allow those most in need access to the nearby car park.
London Rally - 8th October
Meet outside the Supreme Court on the day of the hearing 11am - 1pm. We’ll be joined by our friends at the Dartmoor Preservation Association, and we’ll hear words from Mary-Ann Ochota (CPRE), Eben Muse (BMC), plus our very own Emma Linford and Guy Shrubsole.
We’ve set up an Eventbrite for the London rally here.
What does wild camping mean to you?
We’re busy making the case for wild camping, but we need your help. We’d love it if you can share with us what wild camping means to you: how do you feel when you’re out under the stars, and what is it about wild camping that is special? Ideally we’d like short clips of people sharing a few words in response. Alternatively, if you’d rather, you could send us something written by replying to this newsletter. Thank you!
Supreme Court Costs
By the time the case reaches the Supreme Court, Dartmoor National Park Authority will have spent nearly £200,000 on legal fees and costs. Add to this Darwall’s costs, which DNPA will be liable for should they lose, and the total sum payable will likely reach an eye-watering £400,000. DNPA have had their budget cut to the bone in recent years, meaning that the only way they have been able to continue to fight for so long in the courts has been due to the generosity of thousands of individuals who have donated to the crowdfunder held by Dartmoor Preservation Association. If you can, do consider adding to this pot. As Guy Singh-Watson of Riverford recently put it: “It is not about the size of your contribution; it is about showing how many of us want to live in a kinder, fairer world, and that we will fight for it together.”
Lewis,
On behalf of the Right to Roam team
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P.S. We’re a campaign that punches well above its weight, but we’re run on a shoestring budget. Can you join our band of 500 amazing supporters chipping in £5 or more a month? With a new government in power and the Dartmoor Supreme Court case looming this October, we have big plans to ramp up our campaigning, but need your help to fund it. Thanks for anything you can donate!
To follow us on social media:
Twitter: @Right_2Roam
Instagram: right.2roam
Facebook: right2roam
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