Ministry Of Defence
South East firing times
South East byelaws
Read about accessing the training estate safely.
Aldershot and Minley training areas
Location
Aldershot and Minley training areas are located to the west of Aldershot and north-west of Farnborough, Hampshire.
Site description
The training areas are used for dry training exercises only. Dry training does not involve the use of live ammunition, but it may include the use of pyrotechnics, blank ammunition, and other battle simulators such as smoke grenades and thunder flashes. Be prepared for sudden noises.
The 2 training areas cover approximately 2,000 hectares of lowland heathland habitat, which supports a wide range of associated fauna and flora. They are made up of a diverse mosaic of heathland, conifer woodland, areas of mature and semi-mature broadleaved woodland, mire, scrub, acid grassland and grass meadows, particularly in the Minley area.
Most of the areas are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and form part of the European designated Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA).
Access restrictions
Cycling and equestrian use is restricted to appropriate public rights of way only. Please do not stray off these routes.
Access opportunities
Public access is always available along all public rights of way within both training areas.
Wider access on foot is permitted in areas within the managed access symbol on the Ordnance Survey Explorer maps. This pedestrian access is subject to the terms and conditions of the Aldershot and district military byelaws, which are displayed at the principal access points onto the training areas.
Do not interrupt any military training activities and please observe the conditions of the byelaws all times.
There are parking areas and lay-bys on the periphery of the training areas for use by the public and the military. Please do not obstruct vehicular access onto the training areas.
Further information
For further information on access please contact Defence Training Estate South East Operations Room on 01420 483405.
Ash and Pirbright range danger areas
Location
Ash and Pirbright range danger areas (RDAs) are found to the east and north-east of Aldershot and Farnborough.
Site description
The RDAs cover 2,000 hectares, made up of a mixture of lowland heathland, conifer and broad-leaved woodland, mire, scrub and acid grassland supporting a wide range of fauna and flora.
Most of the area is designated a SSSI and forms part of the European designated Thames Basin Heaths SPA.
Both RDAs are used for live firing exercises and training.
Access restrictions
Pirbright RDA is closed at all times with no permitted access, due to unexploded ordnance risk.
Ash RDA is closed when the red flags or red lamps are displayed.
Ash RDAis out of bounds for cycling or equestrian access.
Danger areas are marked by signs and red flags (day) and red lamps (night).
Please observe the signs, red flags and lamps at all times.
Access opportunities
The RDAs are depicted on the Ordnance Survey Explorer maps by a closed red triangle.
Access to Ash Ranges is subject to the Aldershot and district military byelaws, which are displayed at all major access points onto the danger area. Under the byelaws, access to the area is restricted to pedestrian use only.
Further information
For further information on access to the range danger area at Ash please contact Defence Training Estate South East Operations Room on 01420 483405.
Barossa range danger area and dry training area
Location
Barossa RDA and dry training areas are located to the north-west of Camberley
Site description
The Barossa training area covers approximately 500 hectares of lowland heathland habitat which supports a wide range of associated fauna and flora.
The area consists of a diverse mosaic of heathland, conifer woodland, areas of mature and semi-mature broadleaved woodland, mire, scrub and acid grassland.It is designated as a SSSI and forms part of the European designated Thames Basin Heaths SPA.
The RDA is used for small arms live fire training.
The remainder of the training area is used for dry training exercises only. Dry training does not involve the use of live ammunition, but it may include the use of pyrotechnics, blank ammunition, and other battle simulators such as smoke grenades and thunder flashes. Be prepared for sudden noises.
Access restrictions
Barossa RDA is closed at all times with no permitted access.
Cycling and equestrian use is restricted to appropriate public rights of way only. Please do not stray off these routes.
Access opportunities
Public access is always available along all public rights of way within the dry training area.
Wider access on foot is permitted, subject to the terms and conditions of the Aldershot and district military byelaws, which are displayed at the principal access points onto the training areas.
Do not interrupt any military training activities and please observe the conditions of the byelaws all times.
There are parking areas and laybys on the periphery of the training areas for use by the public and the military. Please do not obstruct vehicular access onto the training areas.
Further information
For further information on access please contact the South East Regional Operations Room on 01420 483405.
Barton Stacey dry training areas
Location
Barton Stacey is in North Hampshire straddling the A303 and close to the village of Barton Stacey
Site description
The Barton Stacey training areas cover approximately 700 hectares of diverse woodland, areas of mature and semi-mature broadleaved woodland, pasture and grassland.
The training area is used for dry training exercises only. Dry training does not involve the use of live ammunition, but it may include the use of pyrotechnics, blank ammunition, and other battle simulators such as smoke grenades and thunder flashes. Be prepared for sudden noises.
Access restrictions
There is no public access other than on public rights of way.
Further information
For further information on access please contact the Defence Training Estate Operations Room on 01420 483405.
East Kent dry training area
Location
East Kent, inland from Hythe and Dover.
Site description
East Kent dry training area extends in small blocks in an arc between Hythe and Dover, extending a few miles inland. The area around Dover is steeped in military history and much of the rolling rural landscape is within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Be prepared for sudden noises
The training areas are used for dry training exercises only. Dry training does not involve the use of live ammunition, but it may include the use of pyrotechnics, blank ammunition and other battle simulators such as smoke grenades and thunder flashes. Be prepared for sudden noises
Access opportunities
There are over 36 kilometres of footpaths and bridleways crossing the training area over farmland and through woodland. Routes of interest include the North Downs Way, Saxon Shore Way, Pilgrims Way and Elham Valley Way.
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