Altcar Training Camp is owned and managed by NW RFCA as one of the UK’s premier facilities for small arms marksmanship training. The camp lies at the estuary mouth of the River Alt, towards the southern end of the Sefton Coast sand dune system, twelve miles north of Liverpool in the village of Hightown. The estate covers 620 acres of range and dry training areas, and 500 acres of beaches and sand dunes which are available for training when there is no live firing.
The site is used extensively by regular, reserve and cadet units from all three Services for military and civilian activities and training. Altcar annually averages at around 110,000 “head on beds” each year, with another 12,000 daily visitors throughout the year.
In 2023 there were 505 bids submitted:
Regular
Reserve
Cadets
Regular
Reserve
Cadets
Altcar Training Camp Mission
Is to make Altcar Training Camp and its ranges and training areas available to support the training requirements for:
- Regular units/organisations
- Reserve units/organisations
- Cadet units/organisations – SCC, ACF, ATC & CCF
And to enable irreducible spare capacity to be used for:
- Other Government Departments e.g. Police & other Emergency Services
- Other users through the Alternative Venues initiative e.g. Civilian Rifle Clubs and other organisations
In addition to the above, be prepared to provide accommodation and training facilities for operational surge activities/requirements
Fixed Small Arms Ranges
(OSP Stages 1-3 and Stage 4 – Transition to TLFTT):- A Range Pistol ranges (12 lanes air compressor targets)
- M Range Pistol & Rifle (5.56mm only) (10 lanes air compressor targets)
- B Range (38 Lanes) 300 yards
- C Range (23 Lanes) 600 yards
- D Range (8 Lanes) 500-1000 yards
- I Range (15 Lanes) 200 yards
- K Range (12 Lanes) 100 yards
- CGR (12 Lanes) 400m (SARTS converted)
- ETR (12 Lanes) 100-300m (8 Lanes) 400-600m (SARTS converted)
- MMTTR (6 Lanes) 100m (SARTS converted)
- Small bore range 25m (indoor, 3 Lanes)
Camp & Bed Capacity
708 beds including VIP accommodation
Training Facilities
Training facilities include conference rooms, clay pigeon lanes, football pitches, dining facilities an obstacles course and more. Please speak with Altar Training Camp staff who can provide further information and assist you with your booking.
Altcar Training Camp
0151 929 2601
Email enquiries to
[email protected]
Range Control
0151 929 2539
Please note Altcar Training Camp is a NO SMOKING site.
Postal enquiries to
Altcar Training Camp
Hightown
Merseyside L38 7JE
For commercial hirings of the facilities at Altcar Training Camp visit North West Alternative Venues.
Conservation
Since 1977, a Conservation Advisory Group has supported the management of the Altcar estate, giving advice to ensure that nature conservation sits alongside military training. Altcar Training Camp is part of the Sefton Coast, a wild stretch of beaches, dunes and woodlands lying between Liverpool and Southport.
This is the largest dune system in England and an area of immense biodiversity value, home to many rare species and unique habitats. As part of this coast, Altcar is a genuine sanctuary for nature, the foreshore danger area giving protection to thousands of passage and over-wintering birds, the dunes provide a home to internationally protected species such as the Sand Lizard and Natterjack Toad, and the more recent woodland plantations harbouring the nationally rare Red Squirrel. For more information please read the Altcar Training Camp Booklet.
Due to its wide range of habitats and relative lack of disturbance, Altcar Training Camp is particularly rich in wildlife. The foreshore and dune area is of international importance and is protected as part of the Sefton Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), therefore every effort should be made not to disturb flora or fauna in this area and to stay away from ponds and scrapes. The meadows, ponds and woods which make up the remainder of the estate are listed as a Site of Local Biological Interest by Sefton Council.
For more information about conservation and Heritage at Altcar, download our booklet: Altcar Training Camp.
The Camp and Range complex is designated a conservation area and is protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, therefore no digging or dumping of waste material is permitted.
The Camp Commandant is responsible for the management of the land within the ranges and dry training area. Use this land with care and consideration for those who will follow.
