Brief History

The Newtown Estate was purchased by the then TAVRA from Sir John Simeon of the Swainstone Estate in 1911. 800 Acres was then designated as a Range & Training area for the training of troops, Royal Engineer Troops based at nearby Fort Victoria were called in to help clear the ground and construct two butts, stables, a canteen, and a Range House. On May 24^th 1912 construction was complete and advance parties arrived to erect tents.

Jersey Camp as is today was built in 1989, replacing an old wooden hutted camp. The funding for the build came from the Jersey Government, hence the name Jersey Camp.

The facility is owned and managed by SE RFCA.

Newtown Training Area

Newtown training area will accommodate exercises up to Squadron/Company strength. The full 810 acres is a NO Vehicle training area available as long as the range is not in use. The coastline bordering the north side is ideal for beach landings (No Vehicles) and a creek running for two miles along the western boundary provides an area that is suitable for watermanship training.

Helicopter training can take place on the area and the Range Officer can advise on landing sites and other restrictions.

Newtown Range

The range is a 300 metre 10 lane gallery (Hythe frames) range and a 25-metre pistol range.  The 25-metre range cannot be used when the 300-metre range is in use. No tracer, night firing and limited use of Machine Guns are permitted on the range. 

During live firing an adult sentry (18yrs) is to be provided by the unit and posted on Shepherds Hill as lookout prior to firing commencing. There is a requirement for Flags to be flown for both 300m and 25m ranges whilst in operation, these are to be hoisted by the Duty Range Warden before firing commences.

The range opening times are as follows:

1. Wednesday and Thursday – 0800 to 2130 hours  (or ½ hour before last light in winter)

1. Saturday and Sunday – 0800 to 1700 hours

For Operational reasons the Ranges may be utilised outside of these timings.

Clay Shooting can also be conducted in the area of the 25M Range. 

Jersey Camp is a facility with accommodation for 120 personnel primarily of 12 man-bunked rooms along with separate rooms and ablutions for females.  The accommodation consists of an equipped combined mess/dining room (Caterers are NOT Supplied, Transit Camp), Wi-Fi, TV, briefing & lecture classrooms, laundry and drying facilities. There are two external classroom facilities ideal for weapon training. 

The separate guardroom is equipped with CCTV and co-located with the armoury and ammunition store.

Should additional accommodation be required, there is a tented area adjacent to the site.

Please see the information letter/pack for more information.

Newtown Training Area with its 1½-mile coastline and 2-mile long creek, make an ideal location for water based adventure training activities. Jersey Camp’s position on the Isle of Wight means there is much to offer in the way of Adventure training. The island has 600 miles of tracks and paths that are suitable for orienteering, walking, hill walking, cycling and mountain biking. The surrounding waters offer plenty of opportunities for sailing, windsurfing, canoeing as well as other water sports.

The following limited equipment/activities are available to units with the correct and certified instructors:

Kayaking/Canoeing

Orienteering

Archery

Combat Laser Games

Raft Building

The Isle of Wight is suitable for conducting DOE expeditions up to the silver award.  Additional activities available on the island include Mountain Biking, Pony Trekking, Sailing, Windsurfing, Orienteering and 600 miles of tracks and paths for hill walking.  The camp staff can guide you to further information and contact details for the above activities. We recommend looking at the following sites; www.visitisleofwight.com & www.gowight.com for information about the Island, this includes maps, sports activities, pub & clubs and links to ferry operators.

Due to the quality, quantity and rarity of the flora, fauna, birds, butterflies, spiders, moths, fungi, mosses, galls and ponds at Newtown Range. Our 810 acres estate is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a RAMSAR site, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Solent Maritime Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Solent & Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA).  The site also forms part of the Newtown Nature Reserve, the estate has enjoyed SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status since 1952.

Regular conservation projects & surveys are conducted by staff and volunteers.

To view the Newtown Range and Jersey Camp availability calendar, please click here. 

Newtown Range and Jersey Camp Information Pack

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Jersey Camp Standing Orders

Newtown Range & Jersey Camp Training Area Standing Orders

Newtown Range & Jersey Camp ETCGR Standing Orders

Newtown Range & Jersey Camp 25 Metre Range Standing Orders