Wild Camping in England: Why Dartmoor Is the Only Legal Option
As we get into the Spring and the weather starts to warm and, hopefully, dry up, many people will be looking at going camping. Now for most people this will be achieved by finding a camp site, whether local or further afield but the more adventurous amongst us might be contemplating wild camping.
In almost all of England you must ask the landowners permission if you want to camp on their land otherwise you risk trespassing. Even on land that is classed as ‘open access and free to roam’ the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 states that people are prohibited from camping there without the landowner’s permission.
There is only one place you can go wild camp in England and that is in Dartmoor National Park. This is because the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 allowed the Commoners Council to impose and enforce rules over private land held within the National Park. As part of these powers the National Park set out various areas where people are allowed to wild camp, or backpack camping, as park authorities call it. These can be found at https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/about-us/about-us-maps/camping-map.
Most of these locations can be found in the northwest or south of the National Park. However, the closest ones can be found near Reedaford Water about 70 miles from Sherborne and an hour and a half to hour and three quarter drive.
There are certain rules that must be followed when backpack camping. These are set out under Dartmoor Byelaw 6 as created under Section 90 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 and Section 11 of the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.
To count as backpack camping you must use small tents with a maximum of 6 people allowed at the same location, but any form of vehicle, large tent or group camping is strictly prohibited. Moreover, you are only allowed to stay for one or two nights and must do so out of sight of roads and settlements.
When you are camping you cannot have an open fire or BBQ and are asked to take all the litter home with you. Rules around fires and fire starting equipment are set out in further details under Dartmoor Byelaw 8. It is important that you avoid polluting water streams. This is because quite a few streams on Dartmoor serve as supplies for domestic water consumption so it is vital that they are kept as clean as possible.
If you break any of the byelaws and rules the National Park authorities have several remedies, they range from a verbal warning from a ranger up to potential prosecution.
Should you have any concerns about whether or not your plans meet the necessary requirements set out or if you will feel comfortable following them, then it is advised that you stick to camping at official campsites. Available campsites and their locations can be found on several websites.
Daniel.Cockhead@mogersdrewett.com