WILD CAMPING AND LAND ACCESS

A recent High Court decision determined that no right to wild camp exists on Dartmoor, prompting a large protest on Stall Moor. As people clamour for greater access to nature, we investigate whether the public right to explore the countryside is being eroded

- Maria Hodson

WHAT IS WILD CAMPING?

Wild camping is the act of camping overnight in remote rural areas without facilities, thus camping wild' rather than on campsites. A camper should be able to carry all their kit in a backpack, and camp responsibly by arriving late, departing early, leaving no trace.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT TO ROAM?

The right to roam is the term for the custom of wandering freely in open countryside. Public access rights vary across the UK. In Scotland, thanks to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, everyone is allowed access to most land and inland water in Scotland for certain purposes. In England and Wales, the public is entitled to enjoy some land beyond footpaths, such as mountains, moors, heaths and downs, common land registered with the council and land around the England Coast Path. This partial right to roam - opening access to about 8% of England - was granted by the-then Labour Government's Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

WHERE CAN YOU WILD CAMP?

In sparsely populated Scotland, wild camping is allowed on most unenclosed land. In England and Wales, you must gain the landowner's permission first. Dartmoor was thought to be the only site where it was legal to wild camp freely - until this year.

WHAT WAS THE DARTMOOR HIGH COURT DECISION?