East England - public access to military areas
Information about public access to military-owned land in East England.
Accessing the training estate safely
Barton Road Rifle Range
Location
Barton Road is located southwest of Cambridge between Barton and Comberton.
Site description
The site is a 1200-yard rifle range in the countryside of Cambridgeshire.
Access restrictions
When red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed, access to the Range Danger Area (RDA) is prohibited.
The public footpath across the range is also closed during live firing.
Access opportunities
A small network of public rights of way, including Whitwell Way, connect the local villages across fields.
Related information
Beckingham training area
Location
Beckingham training area is east of Newark-on-Trent, adjacent to Stapleford Wood near the village of Beckingham.
Site description
This area is mainly grassland in the floodplain of the River Witham, where a variety of wild plants grow due to the waterlogged fields in winter and consistent management. It is also home to a wide range of insects and birds.
Access restrictions
There is no access at any time to the RDA where live firing takes place.
Access opportunities
There is a network of public rights of way, mainly in the western area of the site. Please keep to these rights of way.
Related information
Fingringhoe Ranges
Location
Fingringhoe Ranges are South of Colchester, in the Colne Estuary.
Site description
The area is remote, with much of the site below sea level. The landscape consists of reclaimed wetland and marsh, waterside communities and woodland.
The marshland is part of the Colne Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and is also designated a ‘Ramsar’ site, as well as a Special Protection Area (SPA). There is a nature reserve northeast of the site.
Access restrictions
Public access is limited to public rights of way due to live firing and training.
Access opportunities
A public footpath follows the northern and western boundaries of the site.
Related information
Friday Woods training area
Location
The training area is on the southern perimeter of Colchester, a large garrison town. The area is used for dry training.
Site description
The estate is a mixture of woodland, arable cropping and grassland, including Donyland Woods. Some of the land is designated as part of the Roman River SSSI.
Access restrictions
When red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed, access is prohibited.
All green space is subject to the Colchester and District Military Lands Byelaws 1973.
Access opportunities
Public rights of way provide access through the training area.
Related information
Stanford Training Area
Location
Stanford Training Area consists of heath, woodland and farmland which is used for a variety of army training activities, including live firing.
Access restrictions
There is generally no access to the Stanford Training Area - visitors should check access times with the Range Control before visiting.
When red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed access is prohibited.
Access opportunities
There is limited access to a permissive path on the East Bank of Watton Brook.
Contact
- Range Control: 01842 855367 (24 hours)
Related information
Updates to this page
Published 19 October 2022Last updated 23 January 2025 + show all updates
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Updated safety information.
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First published.