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Eskmeals Range

Downs, Moorland in Cumberland Copeland

England

Eskmeals Range

Transmission Pylon Transmission pylon opposite MOD firing range.
Transmission Pylon Credit: P Gaskell

Eskmeals Range, located in Cumberland, England, is a military training area encompassing a vast expanse of downs and moorland. It spans over 7,000 acres and is managed by the Ministry of Defence. The range is situated on the western coast of Cumbria, near the village of Ravenglass.

The primary purpose of Eskmeals Range is to provide a realistic training environment for the British Armed Forces, specifically the infantry and artillery units. It offers a diverse terrain with its open grasslands, heather moorland, and rugged hills, making it ideal for conducting various military exercises, including live-firing training, maneuvering drills, and tactical simulations.

The range is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, such as firing ranges, observation posts, and training areas. It also offers specialized training facilities for urban operations, allowing troops to practice in a simulated urban environment. Safety is of utmost importance, and strict protocols and measures are in place to ensure the well-being of military personnel and the surrounding community.

Eskmeals Range not only serves as a training ground but also plays a crucial role in supporting the local economy. It provides employment opportunities for the local population, both directly and indirectly, through maintenance, administration, and support services.

Additionally, the range is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its rich biodiversity. It is home to a variety of plant and animal species, including rare birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. Conservation efforts are undertaken to ensure the preservation of this unique ecosystem.

Overall, Eskmeals Range is a significant military training area that offers a challenging and realistic environment for British forces, while also contributing to the local economy and conserving the natural heritage of Cumberland.

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Eskmeals Range Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.321426/-3.4156676 or Grid Reference SD0892. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Transmission Pylon Transmission pylon opposite MOD firing range.
Transmission Pylon
Transmission pylon opposite MOD firing range.
MOD Firing Range Entrance to MOD firing range
MOD Firing Range
Entrance to MOD firing range
England Coast Path England Coast Path at Eskmeals MOD firing range.
England Coast Path
England Coast Path at Eskmeals MOD firing range.
Eskmeals viaduct
Eskmeals viaduct
River Esk and salt marsh
River Esk and salt marsh
Newbiggin Tidal Crossing The tidal ford at Newbiggin.
Newbiggin Tidal Crossing
The tidal ford at Newbiggin.
South across Eskmeals beach A decent way out onto the sands of the gunnery range, which is a mixture of hard sand and rocky pools.
South across Eskmeals beach
A decent way out onto the sands of the gunnery range, which is a mixture of hard sand and rocky pools.
Sand and shingle on the foreshore Immediately below the gunnery range sea embankment, the stones and concrete rubble give way to this much more natural marine shoreline.
Sand and shingle on the foreshore
Immediately below the gunnery range sea embankment, the stones and concrete rubble give way to this much more natural marine shoreline.
Near the mouth of the Esk Way out into the sands of the Eskmeals gunnery range (which is not operational on a Bank Holiday Monday at 6pm), the sands and rocky pools of the estuary are a wild and rarely visited area.
Near the mouth of the Esk
Way out into the sands of the Eskmeals gunnery range (which is not operational on a Bank Holiday Monday at 6pm), the sands and rocky pools of the estuary are a wild and rarely visited area.
Eskmeals viaduct from the tidal banks of the Esk A rather muddy path leads along the edge of the saltmarsh from a restricted parking space by the bend in the road, and takes you out to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust's reserve in the dunes just north of the Gunnery Range. Here in the afternoon sun, and with a thunderstorm brewing over the hills beyond, the viaduct is lit up clearly against those hills.
Eskmeals viaduct from the tidal banks of the Esk
A rather muddy path leads along the edge of the saltmarsh from a restricted parking space by the bend in the road, and takes you out to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust's reserve in the dunes just north of the Gunnery Range. Here in the afternoon sun, and with a thunderstorm brewing over the hills beyond, the viaduct is lit up clearly against those hills.
Muddy banks of the tidal Esk At a sweeping bend in the river's estuary, a large mudbank is exposed by the retreating tide. The dunes of the nature reserve lie a couple of hundred yards further on.
Muddy banks of the tidal Esk
At a sweeping bend in the river's estuary, a large mudbank is exposed by the retreating tide. The dunes of the nature reserve lie a couple of hundred yards further on.
Dunes in the nature reserve A large portion of the dunes north of the Gunnery Range is leased to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust as a reserve, and supports a variety of animal and plant life.
Dunes in the nature reserve
A large portion of the dunes north of the Gunnery Range is leased to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust as a reserve, and supports a variety of animal and plant life.
A shingle bank More or less at the high tide mark, and well within the Eskmeals Gunnery Range area. Parts of the shoreline have been co-opted and modified to suit the military purposes of the range, with clear evidence of bulldozed banks and piles of shingle, which now form a 'seawall' for the site.
A shingle bank
More or less at the high tide mark, and well within the Eskmeals Gunnery Range area. Parts of the shoreline have been co-opted and modified to suit the military purposes of the range, with clear evidence of bulldozed banks and piles of shingle, which now form a 'seawall' for the site.
Seashore in front of the Gunnery Range Shingle back and sandy beach directly in front of the 'business area' of the gunnery range.
Seashore in front of the Gunnery Range
Shingle back and sandy beach directly in front of the 'business area' of the gunnery range.
A large expanse of sand and shingle Looking out to sea over the gunnery range, with a falling evening tide.
A large expanse of sand and shingle
Looking out to sea over the gunnery range, with a falling evening tide.
Range access road Access to/from the gunnery range onto the beach, through their seawall built up of the available shingle on the shore.
Range access road
Access to/from the gunnery range onto the beach, through their seawall built up of the available shingle on the shore.
Range building, purpose unknown One of a number of imposing concrete 'bunkers' on the gunnery range; one can assume they are or were somehow involved in observation of the firing results, but it won't be easy to find out exactly how, without some inside knowledge of the operation. And that's probably Classified.
Range building, purpose unknown
One of a number of imposing concrete 'bunkers' on the gunnery range; one can assume they are or were somehow involved in observation of the firing results, but it won't be easy to find out exactly how, without some inside knowledge of the operation. And that's probably Classified.
Another mysterious range building A little further south on the shoreline than <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4667581">SD0793 : Range building, purpose unknown</a>, and equally menacing.
Another mysterious range building
A little further south on the shoreline than SD0793 : Range building, purpose unknown, and equally menacing.
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Eskmeals Range is located at Grid Ref: SD0892 (Lat: 54.321426, Lng: -3.4156676)

Administrative County: Cumbria

District: Copeland

Police Authority: Cumbria

What 3 Words

///sprain.decently.dream. Near Seascale, Cumbria

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Eskmeals Range

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