DTE South West: Access
There is a presumption in favour of public access to the Defence Training Estate, on Public Rights of Way. This has to be balanced against the over-riding national requirement for safe and sustainable military training and conservation. The first priorities for the estates are military training and public safety, followed closely by archaeology, conservation and agriculture. However, controlled public access is encouraged wherever and whenever possible.
Salisbury Plain training area
Three quarters of the training area can be used by the public, but only on designated Public Rights of Way. The area is also used, with permission, for various organised activities, including field sports, walks and model aircraft flying.
Over 100 years of military stewardship has helped to conserve, and even enhance, an area of remarkable landscape and archaeological value. In some parts, public access is prohibited for safety reasons (for example, the range impact and live firing areas). In total, about 10,000 hectares are permanently closed to the public for safety reasons, including Larkhill and Westdown artillery impact areas, and the Warminster live firing area.
Dartmoor training area
Unless live firing is taking place, this area is open to public access.
Penhale Camp and Bodmin Moor training area
The public is free to walk around the area, keeping to the South West Coastal Path or the new MoD Permissive Path, but must observe all MoD warning signs and red and white marker posts.
Tregantle Fort and Antony training area
The public has access to Tregantle Beach via a permissive footpath when the firing ranges are not in use. There is no public access to either of the forts. There is a designated picnic area at Wacker Quay, provided by Caradon Council, to which there is year-round access.