Thousands of people are expected to rally at noon on Haytor on Dartmoor this bank holiday Monday (26 May) to call on the government to pass a new Right to Roam Act.
The rally comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s unanimous verdict upholding the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, quashing a long-running legal battle brought by wealthy Dartmoor landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall.
But the rally’s organisers, the Right to Roam campaign and The Stars Are For Everyone, say that the case has demonstrated why public rights to access nature need to be extended far beyond Dartmoor.
Dartmoor remains the only place where it is legal to wild camp in England and Wales, whilst there is a right to roam over just 8 per cent of England. In Scotland, the situation is very different: the Land Reform Act 2003 gave the Scottish public a right of responsible access over the majority of land and water, including widespread wild camping rights.
Emma Linford from The Stars are for Everyone said:
“The Supreme Court’s verdict upholding the right to wild camp on Dartmoor is a powerful and heartening moment. But it’s also a wake-up call.
“While our existing rights have been defended, this case has exposed just how limited our access to nature truly is. The fact that one landowner came so close to extinguishing a centuries-old tradition, enjoyed by millions, shows just how fragile our current access rights truly are. And why should Dartmoor be the only place in England and Wales where it’s legal to wild camp?
“After this week’s victory we’re calling on the Government to enshrine greater access rights for everyone in law, to ensure they can never be eroded again.”
Guy Shrubsole from the Right to Roam campaign said:
“It’s time for change. We need a new Right to Roam Act to defend and extend our right to responsibly roam, swim, and wild camp across England – not just on Dartmoor, but through forests, along rivers, over hills, and in wild spaces nationwide. We draw inspiration from the freedoms enjoyed for decades in Scotland and Scandinavia. And we’re committed to making that vision a reality here.”
Details of Monday’s rally
Join The Stars are for Everyone and the Right to Roam campaign at Haytor on Dartmoor, Monday 26th May, 12 noon, to call on the Government to pass new laws to defend and extend the public’s rights to access nature, including the right to sleep under the stars. If you are planning to join us, please ensure you read on for important information. Full details and tickets for coaches on Eventbrite here, summary below.
**PLEASE DO NOT BRING DOGS**
GETTING TO HAYTOR
- We’re rallying at Haytor for midday. You may want to arrive early, or make a day of it by walking over the moors.
- While Haytor is one of the more accessible locations on Dartmoor, we still need your help to make this work. We’re expecting large numbers, and even with the nearby car parks we encourage as many people as possible to walk to Haytor for midday.
- If you plan to walk, please select the ‘I’ll make my own way’ option as this helps to give us an idea of numbers to expect.
- If you are unable to walk from a location further away, we’d encourage you to arrive earlier in order to be able to park at one of the three nearby car parks.
- If you are planning on travelling by train, we are running coaches from Newton Abbot Train station. There are two departure times from Newton Abbot, and two times for returning in the afternoon. Please select the appropriate ticket on Eventbrite. We are charging a small fee per seat in order to recover our costs as much as possible. If this is a barrier to you attending, please contact hello@righttoroam.org.uk
WHAT TO BRING
- Please come prepared for the weather, and dress appropriately. The forecast can change quickly, and we’ll be on open moorland. Closer to the event we’ll send more information about the likely conditions.
- If you are first-aid qualified please let us know when you select your tickets, and if possible come with first aid supplies. We encourage everyone to look after one another.
- Bring lunch, water and hot drinks, and snacks to keep you and others going. Please make sure you look after the moorland and pick up any litter you see.
HOW TO PREPARE
- In light of the wild camping ruling, we now need to move the conversation on – this has always been bigger than Dartmoor, and in this moment we are calling for the government to step up on behalf of access to nature across the country. It’s time for a Right to Roam Act – new legislation to protect, restore and extend our access to the countryside.
- We’d like you to consider what a right to roam means to you – and why everyone should have the opportunity to sleep under the stars. We’d like you to make your own star to bring along on the day – and decorate it with your response to these questions.
- Please also spread the word, encourage others to join the rally, and sign up to our newsletter.
WILDLIFE
- We are currently in the bird nesting season, and we need to take special care not to disturb birds at this time of year. There is a rare bird nesting area south of the main road near Haytor and others nearby: see this map from Dartmoor National Park Authority.
- We’d like to ask you to avoid these areas before, during, and after the rally, and in general, if you are walking in from nearby or a distance, please keep to known footpaths. This way we can avoid unnecessary disturbance, and show clearly that, as well as being passionate about access, we are responsible and care about nature.
- For the same reason, we ask that you do not bring dogs.
- Also, we’re sure you know this, please don’t feed or pet the ponies if they are around!
DONATIONS
- If you are able to, please consider donating to Right to Roam to cover the costs of organising. Everything helps, and will ensure that we can continue to push for land access reform in England.
- We’re a grassroots campaign, run on a shoestring, and almost entirely funded by individual monthly donations by our supporters. Our ability to keep campaigning for the future we all deserve is in the hands of people like you who choose to chip in a fiver or tenner every month. We now need to massively ramp up our campaigning – and we need your help. Please consider becoming a regular donor to the Right to Roam campaign.
