Protesters gather on Dartmoor ahead of Judgment Day at the Supreme Court

Campaigners advocating for the Right to Roam gathered for a final rally ahead of a pivotal Supreme Court decision today on the future of wild camping on Dartmoor. .

The long-standing dispute over Dartmoor’s wild camping rights has reached a critical juncture, with protestors preparing for a decisive ruling. Landowner Alexander Darwall has brought his case before the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a previous High Court decision that favoured his attempt to restrict camping on his land.

The five-judge panel of the Supreme Court is set to rule on the matter, which could determine the fate of wild camping on Dartmoor. The Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA), which risks a £400,000 court bill if it loses, remains steadfast in its defence of the right to camp freely. A crowdfunding campaign has raised £120,000, supported by more than 4,000 donors.

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal reinstated the right to wild camp after it had been revoked by a High Court ruling in January 2023. Mr. Darwall and his wife Diana, owners of the 4,000-acre Blachford Estate since 2011, are among the largest landholders on Dartmoor.

The legal dispute revolves around the interpretation of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, which guarantees public access to the land for "open-air recreation." Mr. Darwall argues that wild camping falls outside the scope of this law.

Following Mr. Darwall’s initial attempt to ban wild camping, widespread protests broke out. Six months later, the right was restored by the Court of Appeal, thanks to efforts by the DNPA and a campaigner from the Open Spaces Society. Dartmoor remains the only place in England where wild camping is allowed without needing permission from landowners.

"If Darwall wins his case, wild camping rights in England will be wiped out, and the tradition of camping under Dartmoor’s stars will be lost forever," said Frankie Gould, a spokesperson for The Stars Are For Everyone, one of the key campaign groups.

Ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, campaigners have planned to gather outside the court, with a large rally already held at Hound Tor on Sunday in support of the cause.