Lulworth Ranges: Difference between revisions

|caption = Tank hulkshulls used as targets on the ranges

The '''Lulworth Ranges''' are military [[firing range]]s located between [[Wareham, Dorset|Wareham]] and [[Lulworth]] in [[Dorset]], England. They cover an area of more than {{convert|2830|ha|acre}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/public-access-to-military-areas |title=Public access to military areas |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=12 December 2012 |work=web page |publisher=Ministry of Defence |accessdateaccess-date=19 December 2012}}</ref> are ownedleased in a rolling contract from the Weld Estate by the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] and are part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School based at [[Lulworth Camp]].<ref>[http://www.dorsetforyou.com/356624 ''The Lulworth Ranges''] at www.dorsetforyou.com. Accessed on 25 May 2013.</ref> The ranges were established in 1917.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westlulworth-pc.org.uk/docs/Army%20ranges%20text.pdf|title=A brief history of Lulworth Ranges|accessdateaccess-date=11 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111223841/http://www.westlulworth-pc.org.uk/docs/Army%20ranges%20text.pdf|archive-date=11 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The ranges are about {{convert|10|km|0|abbr=on}} west of [[Swanage]] and about {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}} east of [[Dorchester, Dorset|Dorchester]]. They lie within an [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]] and stretches along the coastline between the east of [[Lulworth Cove]] to just west of [[Kimmeridge]]. The coastline is part of the [[Jurassic Coast]], a UNESCO [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name="UNESCO">{{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = 2001 | url = httphttps://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=1029 | title = Dorset and East Devon Coast | format = | work = | publisher = UNESCO World Heritage Centre | accessdateaccess-date = 2010-12-19}}</ref> The range includes the [[ghost village]] of [[Tyneham]], deserted in 1943 and abandoned permanently following its [[compulsory purchase]] by the Army in 1948.

The ranges are used for static and mobile live-firing practice by [[tankstank]]s and other [[Armoured fighting vehicle|armoured vehicle]]s. The ranges are cleared for use by tank main armament and other vehicle-mounted heavy weapons.

[[File:Lulworth Ranges on OpenStreetMap.jpg|thumb|Track of moving targetry system]]
Lulworth Ranges has an electrically powered rail targetry system which is visible on Google Earth and from the surrounding hills. The railway consists of a 3four roadtrack shed on a short branch, which is connected to a small within a large loop.

For safety reasons, access to the public is only permissible when the ranges are not in operation. Large red flags are flown and flashing warning lamps on [[Bindon Hill]] and [[St Alban's Head]] are lit when the ranges are in use.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/DefenceEstateandEnvironment/AccessRecreation/SouthWest/LulworthRanges.htm | title=MOD defence/about defence: Lulworth ranges | accessdateaccess-date=2010-12-19}}</ref> At such times the entrance gates are locked and wardens patrol the area.

Access to the area is by foot either via the [[South West Coast Path]] or from the car parks at [[Lulworth Castle]], [[Tyneham]], [[Ridgeway Hill]] and [[Povington Hill]]. The range walks and coast path are open most weekends and some weekdays.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/DFE0C691-44B6-4A8B-8544-CC67365D44C5/0/Lulworth.pdf | title=Access Opportunities on the Defence Estate: Lulworth | accessdateaccess-date=2010-12-19}}</ref>