The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is one of the UK's largest landowners and owns some of its finest rural landscapes. The MoD encourages safe public enjoyment of its estate wherever this is compatible with military requirements, safety, conservation and the interests of their tenants.

The MoD currently offers recreational access at areas such as Pembroke, Okehampton, Catterick and Warcop. The arrangements for climbing vary at each site to ensure public safety and to maintain the protection of wildlife interests.

A partnership working – Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire
An agreement in 1992 between the BMC, MoD and members of the South Pembrokeshire Range Recording and Advisory Group (which includes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and the Countryside Council for Wales) led to climbers gaining access to Range West between mid-August and the end of January.

Climbers attend an annual briefing, where they are informed about military, conservation and health and safety issues, and are supplied with an access permit. The briefings are held three times a year at Castlemartin Camp, and maps are issued to climbers when they sign on at the range - they highlight the restricted areas and related timescales. See the BMC RAD for full details.

The extent of available climbing on Range West is restricted to protect cliff-nesting birds and public safety (it is a live firing range). The Castlemartin cliffs and dunes are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the variety of rare and protected species and the range of habitats. If you see red cliff-top markers along the Castlemartin range, birds are nesting and climbing is not permitted between these markers.

Permission
Because of safety hazards and levels of demand, some sites require climbers to attend briefings and/or use a booking system. Further details and briefing dates can be obtained from the BMC or from the contact at the site.

It is very important for your own safety that you adhere to any restrictions or access agreements. Please check restrictions before you visit – they could change at short notice.

Important safety precautions:

Belay stakes
Must not be placed on MoD property.

The red flag rule
You must be aware of danger areas. These are areas where live firing takes place or where there is a risk from unexploded ordnance. Danger areas are marked by signs and red flags (daytime) and red lamps (at night). You must adhere to the signs and flags at all times.

Note that access at most MoD sites is controlled through Military Byelaws and is excluded from statutory access under the CRoW Act, 2000.

Military debris
It is very unlikely that you will encounter any military debris, but if you do, you should not approach or touch it. It could explode and injure/kill you. Please record the position and report suspicious items to the local Range Office or Civil Police. If you are climbing on Range West, please observe the instructions given at the briefings.

For more details visit www.access.mod.uk.

« Back