Wales - public access to military areas
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-23)

Information about public access to military-owned land in Wales.

Accessing the training estate safely (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access)

Wales firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/firing-notice#wales)

Wales byelaws (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/byelaws-wales)

Respect the range

Castlemartin Training Area

Location

Castlemartin is located on the south coast of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Site description

The training area covers about 2,390 hectares of freehold land within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The area is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), with a variety of flora and limestone in the National Park. It has significant archaeological and geological interest, including natural rock arch and rock pillars known as the Green Bridge of Wales, and fossil records of international significance. St. Govans and Flimston Chapels can also be visited.

Access restrictions

Castlemartin is subject to the Castlemartin RAC Range Byelaws 1986.

When the ranges are used for live firing, red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed and access is prohibited.

Access opportunities

Two car parks within Range East provide access to a limited network of public rights of way, which includes sections of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail. Access is subject to firing times.

The Castlemartin Range Trail is available at all times, and provides those walking the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail an alternative route during live activity.

Access to Range West for climbing, surfing or fishing is only possible following attendance to an annual access safety brief.

Contact
- Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx (from 8.15am)
Changes and cancellations to firing and road closure times can happen without notice. Please call the number above for updates.

Related information

Castlemartin firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/castlemartin-firing-notice--2)

MOD Byelaws: Pembrokeshire (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pembrokeshire-byelaws)

Air Defence Range Manorbier

Location

Air Defence Range (ADR) Manorbier is located near the village of Manorbier, within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Site description

ADR Manorbier is the only range in mainland UK from where the High Velocity Missile, employed in the anti-aircraft role, can be fired.

In addition, ADR Manorbier hosts the Air Warfare Centre who conduct a variety of aircraft-related trials. Every effort is made to ensure that the inevitable low flying activity is kept to a minimum over the mainland.

Access restrictions

Manorbier is subject to the Manorbier Anti-Aircraft Artillery Range in the County of Pembrokeshire Byelaws 1941.

When the ranges are used for live firing, red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed and access is prohibited.

Contact
- Control Tower: xx-xxxx-xxxx (range activity information)
- Castlemartin Guardroom: xx-xxxx-xxxx (24 hours)
- Main office: xx-xxxx-xxxx or xx-xxxx-xxxx
- Automated line: xx-xxxx-xxxx
Related information

Manorbier firing times and byelaws (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/manorbier-firing-flying-notice)

MOD Byelaws: Pembrokeshire (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pembrokeshire-byelaws)

Pembrey Sands Air Weapons Range

Location

Pembrey Sands is located near the Carmarthenshire town of Kidwelly in South Wales.

Site description

The range is primarily an air-to-ground bombing and strafing practice area.

Access restrictions

Do not enter the danger area when the range is in use.

Normal Pembrey Sands firing times

Summer

9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday 9am to 2pm Fridays

Winter

9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday 9am to 2pm Fridays

Night firing can take place on an irregular basis. Other air and ground training activity takes place outside these times, including C130s landing on the beach, aircraft using the range targets (but not firing weapons) and various cadet exercises.

Contact
- Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx (for all firing and flying activities)
Related information

Low flying and air weapons activities (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/military-low-flying-air-weapons-ranges-activity)

Sennybridge Training Area

Location

Sennybridge Training Area is near the town of Brecon, Mid Wales, within the counties Powys and Carmarthenshire.

Site description

Situated just outside Brecon Beacon National Park, Sennybridge covers approximately 125,000 hectares of MOD freehold land and 2,400 hectares of land leased from National Resources Wales.

The area mainly consists of a flat upland plateau known locally as Mynydd Epynt, with views of the Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons, the Cambrian Mountains and the Carmarthenshire Black Mountain.

The training area hosts live firing and dry training activities for light forces, including artillery.

Access restrictions

Sennybridge Training Area is subject to the Sennybridge Training Area Byelaws 1974.

When the training area is being used for military activities, the red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed and access is prohibited.

The Epynt Way: Permission under byelaw 8(1) of the Sennybridge Training Area Byelaws 1974

The Officer in Charge of Sennybridge Training Area gives permission under Byelaw 8(1) of the Sennybridge Training Area Byelaws 1974 for members of the public:

(a) to use those parts of the Epynt Way that lie within the Danger Area, on either foot, horseback or cycle;

and

(b) for the purpose of enabling access to and from the Epynt Way, to follow the route of a public right of way shown on the plan subject to the same limitations as its status as a public right of way provides,

when the Danger Area is being used for a military purpose, and Byelaws 3(1)(a), (b) and (c) do not apply insofar as they are inconsistent with this permission.

Explanatory note

The Epynt Way is a permissive route that lies within the training area. It has been provided by the MOD for the purpose of enabling the public to travel along all or part of its route on foot, or by riding a horse or bicycle, for open air recreation.

The route runs around the perimeter of the area. However, parts of it lie within the boundary of the danger area which is closed to the public when it is being used for military training.

This permission is intended to enable the public to only use:

The entirety of the Epynt Way as described on the accompanying plan and on the ground using signs and waymarker discs.

Public rights of way outside the Epynt Way that are closed under the Byelaws in order to gain access to the Epynt way, but not beyond to further travel along public rights of way that enter the danger area, even when the danger area is being used for a military purpose.

Contact
- Sennybridge Range Control: xx-xxxx-xxxx or xx-xxxx-xxxx
Related information

Sennybridge firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sennybridge-firing-notice)

MOD Byelaws: Powys (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/powys-byelaws)

Templeton Training Area

Location

Templeton Training Area is located to the west of Templeton village in the southwest of Pembrokeshire.

Site description

The training area was originally a World War II airfield built in 1939, spanning approximately 164 hectares.

The area is now used for dry training, with pyrotechnics authorised in designated areas.

Access restrictions

Templeton Training Area and the use of green space is subject to the Templeton Training Area Byelaws 2016 (Is-ddeddfau Ardal Hyfforddi Tredemi 2016).

Access opportunities

Public access is via two bridleways and a permissive bridleway transversing the runways.

Contact
- Penally Training Camp: xx-xxxx-xxxx
- Castlemartin Guardroom: xx-xxxx-xxxx (24 hours)
Related information

MOD Byelaws: Pembrokeshire (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pembrokeshire-byelaws)