Otterburn Ranges

23% of Northumberland National Park (stretching from the A68 to Upper Coquetdale) is owned by the Ministry of Defence and used as a military training area. It is the shared aim of the Northumberland National Park and the MoD to encourage as much access to the area as possible. You are free to use the rights of way and access land to the north of the River Coquet at all times - this is the dry training area where there is no live firing.

Firing Times

The Otterburn Firing Times – the dates and times when Otterburn and/or Redesdale ranges are being used for live firing – can be found on the MOD website.

Public Access

Public access is governed by the Otterburn Ranges Byelaws.
Outside the firing times, and when NO RED flags or Lamps are displayed, public access to the ranges is permitted on specified TARMAC ROADS, the PUBLIC FOOTPATHS and BRIDLEWAYS (information is available in the Otterburn Training Area Access Guide).

Access Guide

Otterburn Ranges and Northumberland National Park Authority publishes an Access Guide. The Otterburn Ranges Access Guide shows the areas which are open to the public, both during and after firing. This guide is available from National Park Visitor Centres, Information Points, Libraries, Tourist Information Centres, local shops and hostelries.

Dry Training

Be aware that outside published firing times military units will be training, using only blank ammunition and pyrotechnics.

Safety

Do not pick up, kick or remove any object.
Do not stray off the public rights of way or tarmac roads.
The MOD at Otterburn cannot guarantee that the roads/tracks on the DefenceTraining Estate will be salted or cleared of snow during inclement weather.

Further Information

For further information contact the Range Liaison Officer:
Telephone: +44 (0)191 239 4201 or +44 (0)191 239 4227.