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

Information about public access to military-owned land in East England.

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

East region firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-region-firing-times)

East Anglia byelaws (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/byelaws-east-anglia)

East Midlands byelaws (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/byelaws-east-midlands)

Essex byelaws (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essex-byelaws)

Respect the range

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

East region firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-region-firing-times)

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

East region firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-region-firing-times)

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

East region firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-region-firing-times)

MOD byelaws: Essex (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essex-byelaws)

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

East region firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-region-firing-times)

MOD byelaws: Essex (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essex-byelaws)

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: xx-xxxx-xxxx (24 hours)
Related information

East region firing times (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-region-firing-times)