Lulworth Ranges
Climbing, camping & bivouac, hiking and paragliding
Regulations on 30 October 2026
Signs at the site and later resolutions prevail; check the source.
-
Regulated
Hiking · All year
In force on 30 October 2026
Lulworth Ranges
[…]
Access restrictions
When the ranges are used for live firing, red flags (day) or red lights (night) are displayed and access is prohibited.
Access opportunities
Public access is permitted along the Dorset Coast Path running through the area, and several circular walks within the ranges.
There is car parking available at Whiteway and Tyneham and picnic facilities at Whiteway car park. Worbarrow Beach is also open to the public when the ranges are open.
Published by Ministry of Defence, 23 Jan 2025 · South West England - public access to military areas
-
Regulated
Hiking · All year
In force on 30 October 2026
THE LULWORTH RANGES BYELAWS 1978
[…]
PROHIBITION OF ACCESS
- 3. (1) Subject to the provisions of Byelaw No 8 no person shall:-
(a) enter into or upon or pass over or through, or
(b) be or remain in or upon, or
[…]
any part of the Danger Area at any time when entry on such part is prohibited under paragraph (2) of this Byelaw.
(2) Entry on the Danger Area is prohibited as follows:-
(a) the Land Area (excluding
(i) the roads crossing the same and the picnic sites and spaces for parking vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) hereof, and
(ii) the footpaths crossing the same mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) hereof)
at all times;
[…]
(d) each of the footpaths identified on the said "Plan of the Lulworth Ranges - Land Area" by a broken black line and further identified on the ground by means of marker pegs and directional signs when
(i) notices stating that entry is prohibited are displayed on the notice boards situated at the entrance to each of the footpaths, or
(ii) the Land Area or any part thereof is being used for any of the Military purposes specified in Byelaw No 2 and notices stating that entry is prohibited are displayed as aforesaid.
[…]
- 4. (1) When entry to the picnic sites and spaces for parking vehicles and footpaths mentioned in sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) respectively of Byelaw No 3(2) is not prohibited in accordance with the provisions of Byelaw No 3 the public may, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this Byelaw, use the same for the purposes of open-air recreation.
Published by Ministry of Defence, 11 Oct 1978 · The Lulworth Ranges Byelaws 1978
-
Prohibited all year
Climbing · All year
In force on 30 October 2026
THE LULWORTH RANGES BYELAWS 1978
[…]
PROHIBITION OF ACCESS
- 3. (1) Subject to the provisions of Byelaw No 8 no person shall:-
(a) enter into or upon or pass over or through, or
(b) be or remain in or upon, or
[…]
any part of the Danger Area at any time when entry on such part is prohibited under paragraph (2) of this Byelaw.
(2) Entry on the Danger Area is prohibited as follows:-
(a) the Land Area (excluding
(i) the roads crossing the same and the picnic sites and spaces for parking vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) hereof, and
(ii) the footpaths crossing the same mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) hereof)
at all times;
Published by Ministry of Defence, 11 Oct 1978 · The Lulworth Ranges Byelaws 1978
-
Prohibited all year
Camping & bivouac · All year
In force on 30 October 2026
THE LULWORTH RANGES BYELAWS 1978
[…]
(2) Entry on the Danger Area is prohibited as follows:-
(a) the Land Area (excluding
(i) the roads crossing the same and the picnic sites and spaces for parking vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) hereof, and
(ii) the footpaths crossing the same mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) hereof)
at all times;
[…]
- 4. (1) When entry to the picnic sites and spaces for parking vehicles and footpaths mentioned in sub-paragraphs (c) and (d) respectively of Byelaw No 3(2) is not prohibited in accordance with the provisions of Byelaw No 3 the public may, subject to the provisions of paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) of this Byelaw, use the same for the purposes of open-air recreation.
[…]
(3) No person, when on any of the said picnic sites, spaces for parking vehicles, or footpaths, in accordance with paragraph (1) of this Byelaw shall:-
[…]
(d) camp (whether in tents, caravans or otherwise), bivouac or sleep out, or
[…]
Published by Ministry of Defence, 11 Oct 1978 · The Lulworth Ranges Byelaws 1978
-
Regulated
Paragliding · All year
In force on 30 October 2026
THE LULWORTH RANGES BYELAWS 1978
[…]
- 3. (1) Subject to the provisions of Byelaw No 8 no person shall:-
[…]
(d) cause or permit any aircraft to fly at a height less than 4,572 metres (15,000 feet) above mean sea level over
any part of the Danger Area at any time when entry on such part is prohibited under paragraph (2) of this Byelaw.
(2) Entry on the Danger Area is prohibited as follows:-
(a) the Land Area (excluding
(i) the roads crossing the same and the picnic sites and spaces for parking vehicles mentioned in sub-paragraph (c) hereof, and
(ii) the footpaths crossing the same mentioned in sub-paragraph (d) hereof)
at all times;
[…]
"aircraft" includes any craft or contrivance which though not an aircraft is for the time being airborne.
Published by Ministry of Defence, 11 Oct 1978 · The Lulworth Ranges Byelaws 1978