Lulworth Ranges

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tank hulks used as targets on the ranges

The Lulworth Ranges are military firing ranges located between Wareham and Lulworth in Dorset, England. They cover an area of more than 2,830 hectares (7,000 acres),[1] are owned by the Ministry of Defence and are part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School based at Lulworth Camp.[2]

The ranges are about 10 km (6 mi) west of Swanage and about 15 km (9 mi) east of Dorchester. Tanks and other Armoured vehicles are used in this area and shells are fired. Due to safety reasons, right of entry is only given when the army ranges are not in operation. Large red flags are flown and flashing warning lamps on Bindon Hill and St Alban's Head are lit when the ranges are in use.[3] At such times the entrance gates are locked and wardens patrol the area.

The ranges lie within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and stretches along the coastline between the east of Lulworth Cove to just west of Kimmeridge. The coastline is part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[4]

Access to the region is by foot either via the South West Coast Path or from Lulworth Castle and Tyneham car parks. The range walks and coast path are open most weekends and some weekdays.[5] Visitors are warned to keep to the footpaths. These are cleared of any unexploded ordnance between the yellow markers, but occasionally unexploded shells can be washed up onto the beach. These are dangerous and should not be touched or moved. Although many fossils can be found around this area, access for digging or cliff hammering is strictly forbidden.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Public access to military areas". web page. Ministry of Defence. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2012. 
  2. ↑ The Lulworth Ranges at www.dorsetforyou.com. Accessed on 25 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "MOD defence/about defence: Lulworth ranges". Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
  4. ↑ "Dorset and East Devon Coast". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. 2001. Retrieved 2010-12-19. 
  5. ↑ "Access Opportunities on the Defence Estate: Lulworth". Retrieved 2010-12-19. 

Coordinates: 50°38′N 2°10′W / 50.64°N 2.17°W / 50.64; -2.17

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.