Military Training Areas
The Coast Path passes through or around a small number of military training areas where use by the public is sometimes restricted. Care must be exercised within these areas at all times – you must keep to the footpath, stay away from all installations and avoid approaching or touching any objects lying on the ground.
- Penhale Sands, south of Newquay, North Cornwall. The South West Coast Path is seaward of the training area and is always available.
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Tregantle Fort east of Downderry, south-east Cornwall. In 2012 non-firing weekends (Friday to Sunday inclusive) will normally alternate throughout the year starting with 6th- 8th and 20th-22nd January. But please note that live firing may still take place on these weekends if operational requirements demand. In addition there is no live firing on Bank Holiday weekends nor on any day in August. Other non-firing days are known up to 2 weeks in advance – telephone Range Control on 01752 822516 during office hours to check. If live firing is in progress red flags will be raised and the access gates locked – do not proceed into the range. At those times you must use the waymarked route around the landward side of the military ranges. When firing is not taking place, a more seaward permissive route takes you through the ranges.
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Chickerell, near Weymouth, Dorset. Two alternative routes are available, both of which are official routes of the South West Coast Path. When the red flag is flying, firing is taking place and you must use the waymarked route around the landward side of the military ranges. When firing is not taking place, a more seaward route takes you through the ranges.
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Lulworth, Dorset. The South West Coast Path follows a permissive route through the Army Ranges and this route is only available when firing is not taking place. Normally it is available during school holidays and at weekends.
In 2012 this section of the Coast Path is open between
Easter-31st March - 9th April,
Bank Holiday-5th -7th May,
Spring 2nd -10th June,
Summer-28th July - 9th September,
Christmas-22nd December - 1st January 2013 (all dates are inclusive).
Weekends when the Coast Path will not be available are 21st/22nd January, 10th/11th March, 21st/22nd April, 16th/17th June, 29th/30th September, and 17th/18th November.
However you should always phone the 24 hour answering service 01929 404819 to check that the route will be open.
If firing is taking place, red flags are flown and the gates are locked. When only open at the weekends, the gates to the walks are opened as near to 9am on the Saturday morning as possible and remain open until 8am on the Monday morning. The gate to Tyneham is locked each night at dusk. The exhibitions in Tyneham School and Tyneham Church (well worth a look) are open from 10am to 4pm.
When the Lulworth Range is closed for firing, the alternatives are either a 13 mile detour around the ranges (partly on roads) or a more attractive option is to catch a bus from West Lulworth to Corfe Castle and then walk along the ridge (which has great views) to the road near Great Wood and then descend down to rejoin the Coast Path at Kimmeridge.
