How to climb on MoD land

Posted by Cath Flitcroft on 03/04/2007
Photo: Dave Turnbull.

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

Post a comment Print this article

This article has been read 1507 times

TAGS

Click on the tags to explore more

LINKS

MOD

RELATED ARTICLES

Pembrokeshire 2022 Year in Review | Sir Penfro 2022 Blwyddyn Mewn Adolygiad
5
Pembrokeshire 2022 Year in Review | Sir Penfro 2022 Blwyddyn Mewn Adolygiad

Another year has passed for us to enjoy the beautiful climbing and coastal trails that Pembrokeshire has to offer. This year has been the first since 2019 with no restrictions on movement due to Covid -19 and this article is a quick review of the year and what to expect in 2023.
Read more »

Pembroke: 2021 Review and Range West 2022
3
Pembroke: 2021 Review and Range West 2022

Possibly the best sea-cliffs in Wales, with miles of adventurous limestone, but access for climbing along the south coast of Pembrokeshire is also complex with important shared conservation and military land use. Read on for a review of 2021 and details of 2022 access arrangements.
Read more »

Pembroke: Seals
0
Pembroke: Seals

Autumn is the peak seal pupping season along the western coasts of Wales and in particular the Pembrokeshire coast. It's important that climbers are aware of seals to avoid disturbance to these wonderful mammals.
Read more »

Post a Comment

Posting as Anonymous Community Standards
3000 characters remaining
Submit
Your comment has been posted below, click here to view it
Comments are currently on | Turn off comments
0

There are currently no comments, why not add your own?

RELATED ARTICLES

Pembrokeshire 2022 Year in Review | Sir Penfro 2022 Blwyddyn Mewn Adolygiad
5

Another year has passed for us to enjoy the beautiful climbing and coastal trails that Pembrokeshire has to offer. This year has been the first since 2019 with no restrictions on movement due to Covid -19 and this article is a quick review of the year and what to expect in 2023.
Read more »

Pembroke: 2021 Review and Range West 2022
3

Possibly the best sea-cliffs in Wales, with miles of adventurous limestone, but access for climbing along the south coast of Pembrokeshire is also complex with important shared conservation and military land use. Read on for a review of 2021 and details of 2022 access arrangements.
Read more »

Pembroke: Seals
0

Autumn is the peak seal pupping season along the western coasts of Wales and in particular the Pembrokeshire coast. It's important that climbers are aware of seals to avoid disturbance to these wonderful mammals.
Read more »

BMC MEMBERSHIP
Join 82,000 BMC members and support British climbing, walking and mountaineering. Membership only £16.97.
Read more »
BMC SHOP
Great range of guidebooks, DVDs, books, calendars and maps.
All with discounts for members.
Read more »
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Get covered with BMC Insurance. Our five policies take you from the beach to Everest.
Read more »