Wales - public access to military areas
Information about public access to military-owned land in Wales.
Accessing the training estate safely
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: 01646 662367 (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
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: 01834 870105 (range activity information)
- Castlemartin Guardroom: 01646 662280 (24 hours)
- Main office: 01834 870104 or 01834 871282
- Automated line: 01834 870098
Related information
Manorbier firing times and 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: 01554 892205 (for all firing and flying activities)
Related information
Low flying and air weapons activities
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 displayeddisplayed. andAccess accessrestrictions is prohibited.apply.
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.
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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: 01874 635599 or 07467 015206
Related information
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: 01834 843522
- Castlemartin Guardroom: 01646 662280 (24 hours)
Related information
Updates to this page
Last updated
-
Updated safety information.
Update history
2026-03-16 13:59
Wording changed at Access restrictions for Sennybridge Training Area to: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. Access restrictions apply
2025-01-23 15:50
Updated safety information.