DTE Otterburn: About our ranges
The estate consists of approximately 24,300 hectares. It has some 1,687 hectares of woodland, including 23 ancient, semi-natural woods, three of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Otterburn training area
The training area is almost entirely within the Northumberland National Park. The earliest sign of human occupation is the Bellshiel Long Cairn, over 4,000 years old. There are various prehistoric earthworks as well as signs of the Roman occupation. The remains of medieval villages abandoned during the Border wars can also be seen.
The area is predominantly upland moorland, interspersed with woodlands and farmland. It supports a wide range of habitat types and wildlife, many of which are of international importance.
There are 19 SSSIs across the training area, including extensive tracts of upland heather moorland, ancient woodlands, mires and species-rich hay meadows. Four of these have also been designated as Special Areas of Conservation.
In addition to these habitats, there are numerous important animal and plant species. Some 70% of Northumberland’s black grouse live in the area, as well as a large proportion of England’s population of Large Heath butterflies. Other notable species include otters, red squirrels, peregrine falcons, skylarks, bog orchids and Jacobs Ladder.