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Caches in Ministry of Defence Access Land or military ranges

The Ministry of Defece own a lot of land in the UK and use it for military training exercises. In many places these areas are also open to the public and have public rights of way across them. However they may sometimes be closed. Normally there are warning signs or flags telling you this. Local newspapers or community websites may also carry information about opening times or exercises taking place.

Ranges where live firing takes place are indicated on the Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps with red triangles. Managed Access areas with restricted public access are indicated with open red triangles. You can view the 1:25,000 maps with the normal Streetmap by clicking on the + sign under Zoom Control.

A search on the Internet will bring up information about specific ranges, for example 'Lulworth range'.

Specific permission to place caches may be required on MOD Access Land. If in doubt contact the range wardens.

You must put a clear warning at the top of the cache page long description to alert people to the dangers of military ranges that are publicly accessible. Something like this.
"Please Note: This is a Military Training Area on which live firing and other pyrotechnics may be used. The area is generally open public access. One of the safety rules for public access is:- Do not, (and ensure that children do not) approach, touch or pick up any metal objects lying on the ground. Please obey all byelaws and locally posted information concerning times when the area may be closed. These may be physical barriers, marker posts, flags, lights or manned control posts."
If you would like it to appear in red on the cache page then please click on the How to do HTML link on the left.

It is a good idea to put the permission information on your cache page description as well. It not only tells finders that the cache area is OK to go to but new cachers finding your cache can see that permission may be needed for certain locations and will consider that when they place their first caches. It is of course a courtesy to the organisation or landowner who gave permission to acknowledge it. Something like, "Cache placed with the kind permission of the wardens". Don't put in personal information, that should be in the note to the reviewer when you submit the cache.

Ministry of Defence Access and Recreation website - includes links to ranges
Ministry of Defence Safety and Access Restrictions
Ministry of Defence Access land - frequently asked questions
Dartmoor Range information and firing times
Lulworth Range information and firing times
Tidworth village Community site latest news (Salisbury Plain). Look for news about military exercises
Otterburn (Northumberland) range firing times
Sennybridge (Brecon Beacons) training area and ranges exercise and firing information
Pembrokeshire ranges (Castlemartin, Pembrey, Manorbier and Templeton ranges and training areas)
Overlay of all MOD ranges in the UK. Click to open it in Google maps. When it opens if you click on the region you'll get details of the area.
Disclaimer: This overlay was created by following the boundaries as shown on the current Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps and the current information from the MOD website. It is provided as a guide only and should not be considered as a definitve list nor should the boundaries be considered as correct. The overlay may not show all the MOD access land. It is your responsibility when using MOD access land to know where the boundaries are and to ensure your own safety.