Dartmoor Training Area

Public Access Overview

Access Information

Guaranteed Public Access
Non Live Firing Periods

Outline Map of Dartmoor
Military Training Area and
Range Danger Areas

Guaranteed Public Access Non Live Firing Periods

RANGE DANGER AREAS
Within the designated military Training Areas on north Dartmoor there are three Range Danger Areas (Merrivale, Okehampton and Willsworthy), which are outlined on the 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 maps of the area. They are used for live firing on a limited number of days each year. At all other times the public has access over the Range Danger Areas even though other forms of training may be taking place.

WARNING POSTS AND SIGNALS
The perimeters of the Range Danger Areas are marked on the ground by outward facing warning notices on red and white posts. These warning posts and notices indicate the limit of safe approach to a Range Danger Area. When firing is in progress (on one, two or all three Ranges) Warning Signals - red flags by day and red lights by night - are displayed at certain points appropriate to each range and byelaws forbid entry into the Range Danger Areas displaying warning signals and is of course dangerous. Please note that the boundaries of the Range Danger Areas abut each other. If firing occurs on two or three Ranges there is no safe passage between those Ranges. When no warning signals are displayed it is quite safe to enter the Danger Area of that specific Range. Troops carrying out dry training with blank ammunition and pyrotechnics are warned to be considerate to other users.

PUBLICATION OF FIRING NOTICES
Days and nights on which firing is to take place are advertised in the Tavistock and Okehampton Times on Thursdays, and in The Western Morning News, and Express and Echo every Friday and on BBC Radio Devon every morning. Notices are also displayed in neighbouring police stations, some Post Offices, some public houses, and in National Park and Tourist Information Centres.
Details of firing programmes can also be obtained by using the Freephone telephone answering service on 0800-4584868

LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS
On days when firing has been advertised, if the red flags are not flying by 0900 hours from April-September inclusive and by 1000 hours from October-March inclusive no firing will take place that day or the following night. This web site, BBC Radio Devon and the Dartmoor National Park Information Centres are informed of cancellations as soon as they occur.

UNEXPLODED ORDNANCE

Do not touch any military debris - it may be dangerous.
If you encounter any suspicious objects; mark the area, note the location and inform
Commandant 01837 650010 or police 08705 777444

FURTHER INFORMATION
To obtain the booklet The Military and Dartmoor - Information for Walkers and Riders or for further information on the military's interest in Dartmoor, please contact Commandant Dartmoor Training Area, Okehampton Camp, Okehampton EX20 1QP or telephone 01837 650010 or contact the postmaster of this website. site shows information published by MOD. Cancellations are reflected as soon as they are announced. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this web site, the warning signals (red flags by day and red lights by night) must be heeded as they activate the Military Byelaws and indicate when live firing is taking place.

This page was last updated on 4 January 2010.