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Tim Grenham
25/01/2005 at 09:57
I've just moved to Devon (well, I live here part of the time) and have been trying to get out onto Dartmoor as often as possible. Does anyone know what stance is taken on wild camping? I know that its illegal without asking permission but is it generally overlooked like in the Lakes? Or is it more tightly disliked like in the Peak?
Nearly Normal Polar Bear
25/01/2005 at 10:14
I believe it's actively tolerated away from the road. Go to a tourist office and get Nat Park literature, I'm sure they actually mention that it's OK with the usual 'responsible wild camping' caveats. Remember to check about the firing range areas first though, or you'll get the fright of your life!
Tim Grenham
25/01/2005 at 16:16
Cheers for that. I'll pop into tourist information this weekend.
walkenwounded
25/01/2005 at 16:17
I've wild camped on Dartmoor. Admittedly its more than 20 years ago.
LotC
25/01/2005 at 21:57
I wild camp on Dartmoor quite often. No problems, best way to enjoy the Moor. Just don't leave any mess that would spoil it for anyone else. :-)
Jaegermonster
25/01/2005 at 22:45
Welcome to Devon, Peter.
The National Park Authority doesn't encourage camping but the "rules" state you must be at least 100 meters from any road and no open fires. That's on the Common Land and Open Country! The rest is common sense and discretion.

Check out - http://www.ca-mapping.co.uk/mapping/default.htm

Check also - http://www.dartmoor-ranges.co.uk/ranges1.html

Have fun.
Row
27/01/2005 at 00:34
Well hello and as above welcome to devon and esp Dartmoor national park. one of the best wilderness areas, and the biggest piece of open land in southern england. some little pointers for wild camping is.

* Don't camp near streams and other water courses due to the pollution risk and they can rise alarmingly quickly due to heavy rain.

* Try to camp out of site of farms and other plces of habitation on the moor.

* Don't camp near or on any of the historical archeological remains that are on the moor.

* Take note of the fireing times of the ranges

* avoid all metal shiny things report these to the police switch board or the number on the dartmoor ranges page.

* Remeber to take heed of the weather, Dartmoor has it's own climate so be prepared for more than what the local forecast does say.

Else wise be sensible have fun and bon voyage!
Alison Stockwell
27/01/2005 at 00:45
I've wild camped and bivvied on Dartmoor many times. The same rules apply as most places. Like others have said; be discreet, set up camp after most people have gone, take your tent down before they come back, don't be seen from the road or from houses. Don't light fires.
ANNIE BANNANIE
27/01/2005 at 05:09
Or pop down to Bodmin, i used to live out on Eastmoor and often found tents propped up next to farm walls in the morning. Just watch out for the Beast! :-)
Jules aka Bat Girl
27/01/2005 at 16:27
If you camp on bodmin dont go near the farm near Browm willy, that guy invented the phrase "get orrrffff my laaaaaannndd."
ANNIE BANNANIE
28/01/2005 at 03:31
lol thats Bill Smith, chances are if you camp anywhere on Bodmin you will be on one of the Smith's farms so just say you know Mr Smith lol :-)there used to be a small falling down cottage at the base of Brown Willy, not sure if anyone has purchased it now and done the usual renovation but was a good place to set up camp as very secluded and on a little used approach too.
Alex. Apparently.
28/01/2005 at 10:57
Dartmoor is fine. Ten Tors is all above board and known about (35/45/55 mile expedition run each year by the army - with about 2500 14-15/16-17/18-20 year olds scampering over the moor for two days)

All the teams have to train, training includes camping!

Obviously as mentioned the ranges are slightly dodgy as the army like to have the occasional fireworks display up there. usually this time of year up till may is ok at weekends because it's Ten Tors season but still check up on the range schedule.

Just keep inconspicuous and nobody minds. (oh and if you go through/over any fences/dry-stone-walls, that can mean you are off the legal stuff so dont camp there!)

one last note: mind out for the farm around Sittaford Tor. Also a "Gerroof moi Laand!" type there!

happy camping
Jules aka Bat Girl
28/01/2005 at 16:12
The farmer that farms brown willy is a tennant farmet, the owner is in New Zealand, the guy told me that if a hiker gets in a bog he will leave him to sink.They also have so many notices round the farm saying DO NOT APPROACH THE FARM and PRIVAT PROPERTY ect you would not believe. I would not wild camp on his land.
ANNIE BANNANIE
29/01/2005 at 08:19
your talking about the Robsons farm jules, out by the A30, he was in NZ with my ex boyfriend, Chris(who has farm out by Fox Tor and would let you camp) visiting Robsons younger brother who lives out there. Cant move in Cornwall without everyone knowing your business and yep everyone is someones auntie, cousin, sister lol.
Evil Genius Darren
29/01/2005 at 08:31
...and on a quiet night you can hear the banjo's playing.....
Row
30/01/2005 at 02:02
hehe lol


Must be a cornish thing!


I rarely get any trouble from a dartmoor farmer! as i know a few of them so i'll strike up a convasation and problem What problem!
ANNIE BANNANIE
30/01/2005 at 06:46
Your not kidding Darren makes Deliverance look like PG rating lol. Your slightest movements or change in routine are discussed, you become open topic if you do anything slightly out of your normal routine. At first I was slightly freaked out by the interest in me but soon had great fun with it when i realised it stretched to everyone, my garden could be seen from the road and so i would raise my washing line up high on the props and proudly watch my thong and suspender belt and basque sway in the wind knowing that within 20 mins it would be the topic of Tescos, the Post Office and every other possible meeting place. Yeah I know little things ............. :-)
nigel garland
09/03/2005 at 10:28
last time we went to bodmin moor it all became very clear why the farmer has such an attitiude. A family let the dog off the lead which subsequently ran off out of thier sight, joined up with another dog, again off the lead, and procedded to terrorise as many sheep as they could. All while the farmer was just round the corner trying to move his sheep onto another piece of land! when the dogs owners dig catch up with thier dogs a slangeing match ensued between the owners, each blaming the others dogs. They then draggied off their dogs but didnt put the leads back on! dogs ran off etc etc. And we wonder why the farmer gets abit pissy with walkers! yes, WE may be responsible but we haven't got a flashing badge on our heads to distinguish US from THEM!
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