Otterburn Training Area
The Otterburn Army Training Estate is a military training area near Otterburn, Northumberland, in northern England. It is owned by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and operated by Landmarc on contract from the MoD's Defence Infrastructure Organisation. The range is used for training up to 30,000 soldiers per year. The site was established in 1911 and covers about 242 square kilometres (93 sq mi) of the southern Cheviot Hills, 23% of the Northumberland National Park. The National Park was established in 1956, 45 years after establishment of the Artillery Range.
| Otterburn Training Area | |
|---|---|
| Otterburn | |
The southern entrance to Otterburn MoD camp | |
Otterburn Training Area Location within Northumberland | |
| Coordinates | 55°22′10″N 2°18′20″W |
| Type | Training Area |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator | British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1911 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1911 – present |
Otterburn is the UK's largest firing range, and is in frequent use. The ranges are used by AS-90 artillery and M270 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems; Otterburn is the only place in the UK where the MLRS can be fired, requiring an 11 mile long by 2 mile wide firing range. Because of the danger posed by live fire exercises, recreational use of the area is restricted, although it is possible for the public to use some parts of the estate subject to the relevant bylaws. The MoD publishes a booklet, Walks on Ministry of Defence Lands, which offers advice on this.