Climbing on the Defence Estate

The Defence Estate includes some spectacular landscapes across the United Kingdom. There are a number of sites of interest to climbers - from bouldering in the Yorkshire Dales to adventurous climbing on coastal cliffs in Pembrokeshire.

Arrangements for access to climbing crags on Ministry of Defence (MOD) land vary from site to site. For particular crags in your area go to the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) website under Related Links on the right. The MOD has provided information and contact details on each site for the Regional Access Database.

A good example of a site with access to well managed climbing crags is the Castlemartin Training Area in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. A partnership between the MOD, BMC, Pembrokeshire Climbing Club and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and others enables access to some stunning coastal cliffs.

Another successful partnership operates at the Otterburn Training Area in the Northumberland National Park.

Permission

Because of safety hazards or the level of demand for access to crags on MOD land some sites require you to attend briefings and/or use their booking-in process to facilitate safe access. In addition, specific restrictions on climbing may exist, for example during the bird nesting season. 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 in place. Please check restrictions before you visit – they could change at short notice.

BELAY STAKES AND FIXED EQUIPMENT MUST NOT BE ATTACHED TO MOD PROPERTY/GROUND.

Important Safety Precautions

The Red Flag Rule

Where public access is permitted, 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: Access arrangements at most MOD sites are controlled through Military Byelaws. Military Byelawed land is excluded from statutory access under the CROW Act 2000.

Military debris

It is very unlikely that you will come across any military debris but if you do you should not approach or touch it. It could explode and harm you. Please record the position and report suspicious items to the local Range Office or Civil Police.