ActiveOutdoorsCampingDartmoor demo defending wild camping rights draws thousandsOver 3,000 people joined a protest walk on Dartmoor yesterday, after a recent High Court decision effectively outlawed wild camping across all of England and WalesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveOutdoorsCampingDartmoor demo defending wild camping rights draws thousandsOver 3,000 people joined a protest walk on Dartmoor yesterday, after a recent High Court decision effectively outlawed wild camping across all of England and WalesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Over 3,000 people joined a protest walk on Dartmoor yesterday, after a recent High Court decision effectively outlawed wild camping across all of England and Wales
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Old Crockern, the spectral protector of the moor, who rides a skeleton horse and punishes rapacious landowners, made an appearance just before sunset(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Old Crockern, the spectral protector of the moor, who rides a skeleton horse and punishes rapacious landowners, made an appearance just before sunset
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
T3 attended the event to report on the story, which could have wide-ranging consequences for outdoor recreation and pursuits across Britain. Dartmoor was the last place in all of England and Wales where wild camping was still legal - up until last week. However, the case and the outrage it has caused is acting as a catalyst for a bigger conversation about wildlife access and camping rights, which many people argue should be brought into line with theoutdoor access code in Scotland, where respectfulwild camping is permitted almost everywhere.
Labour have already promised to review access rights should they win power at the next general election - with shadow environment secretary Alex Sobel vowing his party would extend the right to roam, including wild camping - and leading Liberal Democrats including Devon MP Richard Foord also loudlydecrying the decision.
Author, activist and protest organiser Guy Shrubsole(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Author, activist and protest organiser Guy Shrubsole
Author, activist and protest organiser Guy Shrubsole
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
The size of the protest far exceeded the hopes and expectations of the organisers, with 3,000 people signing up to join the march onEventbrite. Guy Shrubsole, author and creator ofWho Owns England, who led the walk and addressed the crowds, told us he was “absolutely delighted with the turn out”, and that it was indicative of the level of dismay and outrage people felt about the loss of such a treasured and fundamental right.
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
The line of people walking up on to the high moor from the village was enormous, and once they reached the flanks of Stalldown Barrow on Stall Moor, more speakers addressed the crowds. The spirit ofOld Crockern- a mythical entity and the ancient protector of Dartmoor, who rides around on a skeleton horse and punishes greedy landowners – was invoked. And, to the enthusiastic roars of the crowd and the delight of the kids present, the spectral figure actually made an appearance just before sunset.
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
The January day was crisp but clear, with the moor looking resplendent under blue skies, and the protest was peaceful and good-humoured, with an eclectic mix of people taking part, from pensioners to primary school children. However, the shared sense of outrage at the actions of millionaire Alexander Darwall, and the decision of the High Court in his favour last week was palpable.
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(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Chris and Rachel Lewis, who had come up from Falmouth in Cornwall, explained that they don’t even like camping, but spend lots of time walking on Dartmoor and are horrified that a rich hedge fund manager could buy a massive area of commons land, knowing full well it was a place where people had long come to respectfully experience nights in the open, and then launch a legal action to remove that right - so they felt compelled to come and support the protest.
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Julia, fromThe Stars are for Everyone, who has campaigned for improved access to wild areas and the right to roam all across the country, explained that this particular protest was very personal to her. “Dartmoor has helped me through some very tough times,” she said. “We have to fight for the right to camp out here.”
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
Last week’s court ruling rested on the judge’s decision that camping is not a recreational activity. As yet, it’s unknown whether theDartmoor National Park Authority(DNPA) - who were defending the right to wild camp on the moor, arguing that it was enshrined in the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 - will appeal. As they lost the case, the DNPA are likely to be ordered to pay a large percentage of Darwall’s costs, and the government-funded authority are already struggling with reduced budgets.
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
(Image credit: Pat Kinsella)
“Wild campers have had their right to sleep out across Dartmoor summarily snatched away from them,” Guy explains. “And this is completely unacceptable.”
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