Guidance

Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) newsletter: June 2026

Updated 28 May 2026

June is busy with an Armoured Battle Group conducting their annual assessment. The various schools will be out in number qualifying the future commanders. Local units will be practicing their skills and drills throughout the month.

Heytesbury Wood

In the area of Heytesbury Wood, just north of Knook Camp, there are open trenches in the fields and in the woods. In addition, in some areas there are strands of razor wire deployed and low wire entanglement, which can be difficult to see. Members of the public are to display caution if moving in that area and observe the signs.

Dog walking on SPTA

We ask the public to respect the Bylaws and any units training in their vicinity, which naturally take priority. Dog walkers are reminded that they need to keep their dogs under control. They do not necessarily need to be kept on a lead, but if the dog does not respond to recall, then it is in the interests of everyone and any wildlife around them for the dogs to be on a lead. In accordance with the Bylaws, the public are not authorised to enter wooded areas, they must pick up their dog litter and stay out of unauthorised areas.

Bylaws - wooded areas

The SPTA Bylaws indicate that the public is not allowed to enter wooded areas, which is a measure to protect the public. The wooded areas are used for training and units deploy methods to defend the woods against enemy attack, e.g. low wire entanglements, which is a very low crisscross of barbed wire, sometimes difficult to detect. In addition to the military dangers, someone has been placing wire across pathways at head height, which is unacceptable. Someone walking could be injured, someone riding a bike could sustain a serious injury, someone riding a motorcycle could be killed.

Accessing Salisbury Plain Training Area

The public can roam or walk their dogs anywhere on the training area, outside the restricted areas, denoted by flags and signs. In addition, the public should stay clear of military training, for theirs and the soldiers’ own safety.

A copy of the local laws is posted at all major entrances to the training estate for public perusal. For safety reasons, the Bylaws state that the public cannot “enter any plantation of trees”. Troops training occupy wooded areas and defend them where appropriate using razor wire or low wire entanglements. It is in the public’s best interest to stay out of wooded areas.

HQ SPTA Imber village and church opening 

Imber Village is open to the public on several occasions throughout the year and Imber Church is open to the public on most occasions. St Giles Church, situated in Imber Village in SPTA west, is open for a variety of events throughout the year, which is planned and executed by the church warden. The warden is assisted by several volunteers who assist with administration and safety of the public.

The church is open on the following occasions throughout the year:

• Easter Sunday – church open to the public
• Imber Bus Day – church open to the public
• Bank Holiday Weekend – church open to the public
• Remembrance church service – church service only open to authorised guests
• Christmas church service – church service only open to authorised guests
• December public access – church open to the public

The opening of the church can be cancelled at any time, which will be dictated by the warden or HQ SPTA.

The public has limited access into SPTA west and the village. There are two entry points open to the public:

• VP2 – Grid-ST 901 466 – via Imber Road
• VP3 – Grid-ST 998 500 – via Imber Road

The public has no authority to leave the Imber Road en-route to Imber Village. Apart from unit training that may still be taking place, there is an existential threat of unexploded ordnance.

Firing times

The monthly firing calendar is always available online, alongside other useful information. Please note that this is subject to late changes. The Firing times are now online. 

Red flags may be left up during non-live firing times for public safety due to large exercises taking place. All flags and signs are to be adhered to regardless of advertised times.

Accessing SPTA safely

Accessing MOD land carries risks to your personal safety. Our Respect the Range guidance sets out simple steps you can take when visiting SPTA to help keep you and our armed forces safe:

• Look out for red flags – used to indicate live firing is taking place
• Check armed forces training and firing times before visiting
• Pay attention to signage, information displays and red flags
• Stick to public footpaths, bridleways and byways
• Do not touch any military debris – report its location for safe disposal

The MOD is the custodian of some of the most dramatic landscapes and coastlines in the UK, including SPTA. Much of this land is accessible to the public, but the spaces are used for essential military training. Have you checked the local area?

The MOD encourages you to discover SPTA, however it’s important that you only access the land when and where it is safe to do so. This changes from hour to hour, so always check before visiting and be aware of the live indicators (flags, lights, signage and information displays).

Our armed forces train year-round, at all times of the day. High-paced tactical training exercises often include the use of armoured vehicles, artillery and Defence personnel. Just because you can’t hear or see the training doesn’t mean it’s not taking place. In recent years, more and more people are putting themselves at risk by accessing the land while the armed forces carry out training.

Your safety is our top priority. Help us keep you safe by following Respect the Range guidance.

Salisbury Plain Military Lands, Bulford, Larkhill and Imber Range Byelaws regulate access to SPTA; always comply with local signs and flags.

Rights of way in Range Danger Areas are closed when red flags are flying or when the signage restricts unauthorised access. Please ensure you are familiar with the MOD Byelaws Wiltshire.

There are several Defence Infrastructure Organisation blogs that relate to keeping safe while legally using the military lands on Salisbury Plain, please take the time to read them:

https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/2018/04/19/how-to-risk-your-life-on-the-military-training-estate/

https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/2018/04/24/six-ridiculous-excuses-for-risking-your-life-on-the-training-estate/

Health and safety reminders for all military training areas and ranges:

• Do not touch or tamper with military debris
• Wash your hands before you eat
• Clean your footwear before you enter your car or home

The flying of red flags

The flying of red flags is to inform the general public, as well as military range users, that live firing is taking place. On occasions, it is pertinent for flags to remain flying for major military exercises, even during periods where no live firing is taking place, to ensure there is no encroachment and for the safety of the general public.

During busy periods of activity, the Plain can be filled with large amounts of fast-moving heavy armoured vehicles that can appear from wood blocks and tracks with little or no warning. For this reason, red flags are to be adhered to at all times, even when their display does not match up with live firing times that are published on the Government website and this newsletter. Red flags are never left up in error.

Red flags in the west of the Plain will remain flying at all times and should always be obeyed. Even though you cannot hear any live firing, it can still be taking place. Although there are no red flags flown in the eastern section of SPTA, all users are to be aware of exercising troops and military vehicles and ensure they remain a safe distance from any training.

Bridges at A, B & C Crossings

The bridges at A, B & C crossing are Permissive Byways and are maintained by the MOD. A Permissive Byway can be closed by the MOD, without notification, at any time.

The bridges have a 5mph speed limit, due to the nature of their construction, so we ask the public to comply with the speed limit. If vehicles travel too fast across the bridges, parts of the construction are disturbed and eventually the bridge needs to be closed for repair. It is in the best interests of both the public and the military to comply with the speed limit.

Useful information

The Headquarters of Salisbury Plain Training Area has a Facebook page. Please join and follow us.

We encourage estate users to report illegal activity. all illegal activity on Salisbury Plain including illegal off-roading, illegal motor biking, drone use, poaching, hare coursing, petty theft, camping on MOD land and kite flying to the Ministry of Defence Police Control Centre on 0300 1232101. For serious crime, call 999.