Getting landowner permission
Caches are placed with 'permission presumed'. From the guidelines: "By submitting a cache listing, you assure us you have adequate permission to hide your cache in the selected location". In the UK there are some locations that require specific permission for caches to be placed. There are also some locations where permission will not be given or where caches may not be placed. This is either at the request of the landowner/manager or due to the sensitive nature of the location or for reasons of security. This is specific to the UK.
When submitting a cache in a location where you have obtained specific permission you should add the permission information you received as a 'Note to Reviewer' log on the cache page for the reviewer to see when you submit it. The information should include the name of the person who gave their permission and their telephone number or email address. The text of any email correspondence or letter giving permission should be copied there too. Please note these logs are not visible when the cache is published. Permission does not apply to 'question to answer' stages of multi-caches (where there is no physical component or container) which may involve visiting these locations. Please see the page 'Help your Reviewer' on how to add such letters to a log.
You should also add the permission information on your cache page description. 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 of the reserve" or "Cache placed with the kind permission of the manager of the local National Trust office". Don't put in peoples names, the full permission details should be added in the note to the reviewer when you submit the cache.
The tables below show the areas for which specific guidelines apply. It provides a brief explanation and also which map resources are available. There are links for more information or other useful resources which may include help on getting permission.
Please note: Not all the landowner/manager areas are shown here as there are simply too many to show. The table shows the principle ones where mapping resources are easily available to identify them. You should always consult the GAGB landowner database for a full comprehensive list.
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Locations where proof of permission is required: National Trust; Forestry Commission; Woodland Trust; Scheduled Ancient Monuments; Local, National & RSPB nature reserves; Sites of Special Scientific Interest. |
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Other locations where caching may be restricted or not allowed: Churches, churchyards & war memorials; schools & playgrounds; railway stations, airports & military establishments; dry stone walls & other damaged structures; MOD Access land. |
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MAGIC map and Magic MapIt! link |
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Other Mapping resources including Scotland and Wales |
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GAGB landowner database. Details of who allows
caches and who doesn't and help on how to get permission. |
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Caches in the London SWI Metropolitan police area |
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Dartmoor and the letterboxing code |
Locations where proof of permission is required
| Land area | Map Resource | Comments |
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| National Trust | MAGIC (England only) Ordnance Survey (Wales and Scotland) |
The NT are very supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing a cache on their land. Full details in the GAGB Landowner database.
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| Forestry Commission | MAGIC (England only) Forestry Commission Interactive map for Wales and Scotland |
The FC are generally supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing a cache on their land. There are some FC areas where the agreement allows geocaches to be placed without first contacting them. Please refer to the GAGB landowner database for full details.
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| Woodland Trust | MAGIC (whole UK) Woodland Trust interactive map for the UK |
The WT are very supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing a cache on their land. An interactive application form is available to apply for permission through the GAGB landowner database. The Woodland Trust have a policy stating "no fire tacks".
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| Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) and other archaeological sites. CADW (Wales) RCHMS (Scotland) |
MAGIC (England only) Ordnance Survey (Wales and Scotland) |
Caches will not be allowed within the boundaries of any archaeological site whether scheduled or not without permission from the owner/manager of the site. Sites are scheduled by English Heritage in the UK, CADW in Wales and RCHMS in Scotland. |
| Local Nature Reserves | MAGIC (England only) & Natural England Interactive Map Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Interactive map Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Interactive map |
The OS maps do not show all the reserves and are not necessarily very accurate. Many reserves owned/managed by local wildlife trusts do not show up on MAGIC or the OS maps. Many of these trusts have agreements in the GAGB Landowner database and may include maps showing the reserves so you can see where they are. Here is an example for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Be aware that some Trusts do not allow caching at all on their reserves. For Wales and Scotland there are interactive maps showing these locations.
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| National Nature Reserves | MAGIC (whole UK) & Natural England Interactive Map |
MAGIC is the main resource for these reserves considered of national importance. Both the CCW and SNH maps also show these reserves.
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| RSPB reserves | MAGIC (whole UK) & Natural England Interactive Map | The RSPB have not been very supportive of geocaching and success getting permission varies from reserve to reserve. MAGIC is the main resource for these reserves.
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| Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) | MAGIC (whole UK). Natural England Interactive Map (England). Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Interactive Map Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) SSSI Interactive map. |
In England such sites are scheduled by Natural England, for Wales it is the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and Scotland the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)
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Other locations where permission may be required or geocaches are not allowed
| Area | Comments |
|---|---|
| Churches, churchyards, cemeteries and graveyards | Caches will not be published in churches, churchyards, cemetaries or graveyards without proof of permission from the incumbent or managing authority (such as the parish council or local council). The restriction applies to the churchyard/cemetary itself and any boundary wall or fence around it. This restriction came about after several caches were placed in churchyards and then had to be removed after complaints from the incumbents. It does not apply to 'question to answer' type stages of multi or unknown caches where there is no 'container' or other object placed by the cache owner. Forum post announcing this requirement (UK forum) Forum post announcing this requirement in the Irish forum |
| War memorials or other memorials to the dead | Caches are not allowed on such memorials or within the boundary or any enclosure or garden such as a wall, chain or fence surrounding the memorial without proof of permission. This requirement for permission has been brought in as a result of concerns raised by members of the community that such locations are sensitive and should be treated with respect. Forum post announcing this requirement |
| Schools and children’s playgrounds | Caches actually in children's playgrounds, play parks, skate parks will not be allowed. Caches that are within clear site of such locations may be challenged and the cache may need to be moved. Geocaches may feel uncomfortable searching round such locations where there are children and parents with children may become suspicious of geocachers acting in a manner that may be considered suspicious while they search for a cache or clues. From the guidelines: For all physical caches and waypoints, think carefully about how your container and the actions of geocachers will be perceived by the public. |
| Railway stations or railway property | A security situation in London resulted in a review of how caches are placed at or near railway stations. It has therefore been decided that caches placed in railway stations or on railway property must be done so with permission from the railway authorities or landowners concerned. Forum post announcing this requirement Sidetracked series website |
| Airports, airfields whether civilian or military and military bases |
Airports and active airfields (military or civilian) are likely terrorist targets as are other types of military base. Such locations have increased security patrols and cachers searching for caches nearby or within site of boundary fences are very likely to be challenged by the police or other security staff by the nature of their searching for a cache. Information has been received from the police at a major UK airport that patrols extend beyond the airport boundaries to cover the flightpaths of the runways. Caches at or within site of such locations will not be published. From the guidelines: Geocaches are not placed on school property or military bases. Link to the full guideline |
| Dry stone walls | Due to the construction of this type of wall considerable damage has been done in the past by geocachers removing stones searching for a container. For this reason caches WILL NOT be allowed in such structures under any circumstances. Similarly, caches placed in mortared walls that may be poorly maintained and therefore liable to further damage by people searching may not be published.
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| Ministry of Defence Access Land | This is land owned or managed by the MOD and used for military training. Much of it is open access with restrictions when an exercise is on. There are no specific restrictions on placing caches in such locations but a clear warning must be put on the cache page.
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