The Lulworth Ranges
The Dorset Coast, from Kimmeridge Bay to Lulworth Cove, lies within the Lulworth Army Ranges. These are part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School, an important training establishment of the British Army. The ranges include the coast from just west of Kimmeridge Bay to just east of Lulworth Cove as well as the village of Tyneham, Worbarrow Bay and a number of walks. A sea danger area extends up to six nautical miles offshore between Lulworth Cove and St. Aldhelm's (St Alban's) Head. The ranges and sea danger area are shown on iCoast and Ordnance Survey maps. For operational and safety reasons access to these areas is restricted to specific times.
This page gives details of The Lulworth Range Walks and Information for Mariners.
The below firing times are subject to last-minute change, please phone 01929 404819 to listen to an answering machine that will give up-to-date access information to callers.
© Stuart Buchan and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Lulworth Range Walks and Tyneham Village opening times
The Lulworth Range walks, including the Coast Path between Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge Bay, plus access to Tyneham Village, are open to the public every weekend with the EXCEPTION of the following:
2014
- 18/19 January 2014
- 8/9 March 2014
- 11/13 April 2014
- 14/15 June 2014
- 27/28 September 2014
- 15/16 November 2014
© Phil Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
In addition to the weekends they are open every day during the following times; all dates are inclusive:
| Christmas / New Year | 21 December 2013 – 5 January 2014 |
| Easter | 18 – 27 April 2014 |
| Bank Holiday | 3 – 5 May 2014 |
| Spring | 24 May – 1 June 2014 |
| Summer | 26 July – 31 August 2014 |
| Christmas / New Year | 20 December 2014 – 4 January 2015 |
Please note that the exhibitions in Tyneham School and Tyneham Church are open from 10.00 until 16.00. The gates to the walks are opened as near to 0900 hours on the Saturday morning as possible and remain open until 0800 hours on the Monday morning when only open at the weekends. The gate to Tyneham is locked each night at dusk.
© Jim Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
About 70,000 high explosive shells are fired each year which means that the Army must clear the paths thoroughly before opening the range walks. Occasionally unexploded shells can be washed up onto the beaches. It is absolutely essential to follow these safety rules;
- Do not enter the Ranges if the gate is locked
- Do not stray from the path which is clearly marked by plain wooden posts with yellow bands
- Do not allow children or dogs to stray
- Do not touch or pick up any metal objects lying on the ground
- Please keep away from all buildings, except for Tyneham Church, the School House and toilet facilities
- Do not sit under cliffs or climb them
- You may not camp or light fires
- If walking the coast path right through the ranges, do not enter the Ranges unless you have time to complete the arduous 6-mile walk
- ALWAYS obey instructions of the range wardens
© Jim Champion and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Information For Mariners
1. Army units are trained in gunnery on the Lulworth Ranges.
Much of the training involves shooting on the Lulworth Ranges and during firing periods it helps if mariners please for their own safety avoid the sea danger areas, which extend some 6 nautical miles south of Lulworth Cove, and keep at least 1 mile clear of the target buoys on St.Albans ledge. Valuable training time can be lost when vessels stray into the range; delays are frustrating and expensive, so the MOD welcome your co-operation. Full details of the sea danger areas are available in yacht clubs.
2. Daylight Firing.
Normal firing times are: All Local Times:
| Monday to Thursday | 0930 - 1700 hrs |
| Friday | 0930 - 1230 hrs |
| Friday firing weekends only | 0930 - 1700 hrs |
3. Night Firing.
Although Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually chosen for night firing, sometimes other days are selected. Firing begins as soon as it is dark and lasts until 23.59. The timing obviously varies with the season of the year.
4. Weekend Firing.
Territorial Army training is annual and firing takes place at weekends, but this only occurs a maximum of 6 times a year and is programmed well in advance. The following weekends have been reserved for firing and these are:
2014
- 18/19 January 2014
- 8/9 March 2014
- 11/13 April 2014
- 14/15 June 2014
- 27/28 September 2014
- 15/16 November 2014
5. Yacht Clubs
Exact details of the firing programmes, including any changes to the forecasts given in the paragraphs above, are sent monthly in advance to all the main yacht clubs in the area.
6. Radio Solent
Firing times are broadcast on Radio Solent (300m, 221m, 96.1 MHz and 103.8 MHz) during the shipping and weather news at about 0645 and 0745 hours on weekdays.
7. Non Firing Periods.
There will be no Army firing within the DO 26 inner area and no sea danger areas will be operated during the periods below (all dates inclusive):
| Christmas / New Year | 21 December 2013 – 5 January 2014 |
| Easter | 18 – 27 April 2014 |
| Bank Holiday | 3 – 5 May 2014 |
| Spring | 24 May – 1 June 2014 |
| Summer | 26 July – 31 August 2014 |
| Christmas / New Year | 20 December 2014 – 4 January 2015 |
8. Danger Signals.
Red flags are flown, and red flashing lights are displayed from the flag-staffs on Bindon Hill, Kimmeridge Bay and St. Albans Head ONLY WHEN ARMY FIRING IS TAKING PLACE. However, further ashore, mariners may notice some red flags which fly whether or not firing is taking place, these mark the range boundary.
© Bob Embleton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
9. Range Boats.
During firing, range safety boats are on station (in all practicable weather conditions) at the outer extremities of the danger area.
10. Radio.
The Army Range Control listen on Channel 8 and range boats listen on VHF Channel 8 and 16 when firing is in progress.
11. Bylaws
Copies of the Bylaws affecting the Lulworth Ranges are available for inspection at a number of places, including the Coastguard Station HQ, Weymouth, or the Weymouth Harbour Office. They can also be found on-line here
12. Further information
For further information, please contact:
| 01929 - 404712 Working Hours or |
| 01929 - 404819 for current range information |
or speak to the Range Safety Boats direct. They will be able to give you a safe course of passage outside the Live Firing Sea Danger area. Their call sign is - “Lulworth Range Safety Boat”.
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