Report - Otterburn Ranges- June 2023

[amelia marina]

Otterburn Training Area is one of the largest live firing range in the country, over 60,000 acres of land. It has been used for military training since 1911. Due to being a live firing range entery is only advised when the red flags are not up, and gates are open. We went in the evening and we were able to drive right in, sticking to the paths of course. We were able to climb up and inside most of the tanks and machines to get a better look.

I know next to nothing about any of the vehicles, but I definitely enjoyed looking around while we were passing through. Came across ammo boxes, bullets, shells, mortars, grenade rings. On my way out I had a little look in the stream and was able to find some bits and pieces (being very careful where I i stood and what I touched) I also came across many bones, horns and other animal parts, that have presumably been fired at.

rough list -
FV4006 Centurion Armoured Recovery Vehicle
FV4201 Chieftain Tank
A41 Centurion Tank
FV4201 Chieftain Tank
FV214 Conqueror Heavy Tank
M47 Patton Tank
A22 Churchill AVRE Tank

 

[Stitch]

Particularly like pic 9 of that jeep looking thing. Very cool 👍

 

[Bikin Glynn]

Really nice selection there, well captured

 

[CantClimbTom]

Particularly like pic 9 of that jeep looking thing. Very cool 👍

Agree, it almost has a kind of Mad Max post apocalyptic look about it

 

[Natah-X]

Wow those are some insane pics! I guess the benefit of a place like this is its difficult to enforce the perimeter of 60,000 acres. Still gotta wonder hoe close your are to the nearest unexploded landmine tho...

 

[hhh]

In recent years at otterburn public access points and access maps seem to be far less obvious, here is a handy map from northumberland national park and defence estates..

 

[amelia marina]

Wow those are some insane pics! I guess the benefit of a place like this is its difficult to enforce the perimeter of 60,000 acres. Still gotta wonder hoe close your are to the nearest unexploded landmine tho...

silly risk I know... boyfriend has some years in the military, kept an eye on where I was stepping and what I was picking up. left will all my limbs !