WHERE ARE THE SUNDAY BUSES?
Nationally 71% of leisure trips are made by car or van which rises to 93% in National Parks.
Bus services are limited in many parts of our National Parks and, despite being one of the most popular days for visiting, Sunday services are particularly scarce.
Buses are a great way to see and explore National Parks, they help reduce the number of cars on the road meaning less congestion, pollution and less pressure for car parking in popular sites. We believe everyone should be able to access and experience these landscapes, no matter where they live, and buses are a great way to do this. However, the lack of public transport can make it very difficult to visit, particularly for the thousands of households without access to a car.
Campaign for National Parks and the DPA want to see significant improvements for Sunday bus services, but we need strong evidence to highlight the impact that a lack of services has on equal and sustainable visitor access. Click HERE to share your experience.
Backpack camping - a historic victory
On the 21st of May 2025, in a historic victory for our rights to roam free, camp under the stars, and enjoy nature, Alexander Darwall’s appeal was thrown out by the Supreme Court. At 9:45am Supreme Court judges shared their unanimous judgement that wild camping is open air recreation and that the 1985 Dartmoor Commons Act does not explicitly exclude camping.
Our CEO, Tom Usher, said: ‘This is an historic victory for public access, the DPA are very proud to have played a central role in campaigning to keep backpack camping on Dartmoor as a right. This has been achieved through the work of many people and we salute the courage of the National Park Authority in fighting this case to the end.’
We are grateful for the thanks extended to us from the Dartmoor National Park Authority. We have been delighted to support them throughout the appeal process, acting as a focus for the extremely well supported public fundraiser to help cover their legal fees. We’re also extremely grateful for the outstanding work done by the Open Spaces Society, who have been permitted to support the DNPA in the court room throughout various stages of legal action. This landmark ruling illustrates the vital importance of public access to wild spaces and showcases a growing understanding of how nature connection of vital for the health and well being of human beings and their communities.
Speaking after the judgment was handed down, Dr Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive of Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: ‘We are delighted and relieved with the Supreme Court’s ruling. This is a landmark judgment not just for Dartmoor National Park but for people who have long campaigned for access rights. The judgment reaffirms our long-held belief for the public’s right to backpack camp on certain commons and, importantly, our role in regulating and managing that access. It is important to note that it is not a blanket right to camp wherever, or do whatever, you want. With the right comes a responsibility to make sure that you tread lightly and leave no trace.’
Echoing Kevin Bishop’s words, we invite everyone who loves Dartmoor to enjoy this precious, and hard fought for, right with respect. Being able to camp out under the stars on remote and beautiful places on Dartmoor is a privilege that comes with responsibility. We have all seen the devastating damage done by recent wild fires and it’s vital that we all continue to foster a #LeaveNoTrace approach when spending time on the moor. Our 3Ps guidance on outdoor hygiene and the useful backpack camping guidance provided by the DNPA are excellent resources.
Now that our right to backpack camp is secure, we must ensure we are responsible custodians of Dartmoor. By planning our backpack camping expeditions with #LeaveNoTrace principles in mind, we can safeguard this precious landscape for future generations. Equipping ourselves with knowledge of how to enjoy Dartmoor sensitively and sustainably is just as important as packing our compass and bivvy bag.
With a long tradition of championing access rights on Dartmoor, the DPA are both celebrating this fantastic outcome at the Supreme Court, and also looking to a future where Dartmoor is healthy, thriving and welcoming to all. This win means that the donated money that we have been holding, ready to pay the DNPA’s legal fees if required, can be put to far better uses. Projects which will benefit from these funds include: Girls Do Dartmoor, Dartmoor Youth Rangers, Moor Boots and a Public Access Fund.
