United Kingdom Other Land Areas

Other land areas or specific locations where permission may required or caching is not allowed

This database contains a list of land areas where permission may be required or where caching is not allowed.

Click the Area column to sort alphabetically.

Caches are allowed with proof you have permission or the location meets certain conditions.
Caches are not allowed for the reasons given.

Area	Comments	Allowed or not?
Airports, airfields whether civilian or military and military bases .	Due to the current terrorist threat in the UK civilian and military airports have increased security patrols round the perimeter including the area under the runway flight paths. The same security applies to military bases. Caches placed close to such locations may not be published. Please use common sense when thinking about putting a cache in such a location. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed in restricted, prohibited or otherwise inappropriate locations. The cache is problematic due to its proximity to a public structure, including and not limited to, highway bridges, major roadways, dams, government buildings, schools, military installations, hospitals, airports and other such locations. Guideline: Select an appropriate location and container. Think about how your container and the actions of geocachers seeking it will be perceived by the public. Containers that could be perceived as a bomb or another dangerous item should not be placed. To reduce the risk of your cache being perceived as dangerous by non-geocachers, and being permanently archived by Groundspeak, use common sense when selecting hiding places and containers.
Churches, churchyards, cemeteries and graveyards .	Caches will not be published in churches, churchyards, cemeteries or graveyards without proof of permission from the incumbent or managing authority (such as the parish council or local council). The restriction applies to the churchyard/cemetery itself and any boundary wall or fence around it. This restriction came about after several caches were placed in churchyards and then had to be removed after complaints from the incumbents. Forum post announcing this requirement. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed in restricted, prohibited or otherwise inappropriate locations. The cache placement is in an area that is highly sensitive to additional foot and/or vehicular traffic including, but not limited to, archaeological sites, historical sites and cemeteries.
Dry stone walls or other walls .	Due to the construction of dry stone walls considerable damage has been done in the past by geocachers removing stones searching for a container. For this reason caches WILL NOT be allowed in, on or up against such structures under any circumstances. In the case of other walls which may be of stone or brick and mortared, if the structure appears in poor condition or there is the possibility of damage being done by people searching then a cache in such a wall may not be allowed. Guideline: Geocache placements do not deface or destroy public or private property. Geocaches are placed so that the surrounding environment is safe from both intentional or unintentional harm. Keep both natural and human-made objects safe. No object or property may be altered to provide a hiding place, clue, or means of logging a find.
Prisons .	Caches should not be placed near prison entrances or perimeter walls where the actions of cachers may arouse suspicion. Prisons have CCTV cameras covering these areas. Please use common sense when thinking about putting a cache in such a location. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed in restricted, prohibited or otherwise inappropriate locations. The cache is problematic due to its proximity to a public structure, including and not limited to, highway bridges, major roadways, dams, government buildings, schools, military installations, hospitals, airports and other such locations. Guideline: Select an appropriate location and container. Think about how your container and the actions of geocachers seeking it will be perceived by the public.
Railway stations or railway property .	A popular location for caches is near railways stations and they are usually called 'Sidetracked' with the station name. A security situation in London resulted in a review of how caches are placed at or near railway stations. In addition, Network Rail have refused permission for caches on their property which may include not just stations, but railway car parks, crossings, bridges, culverts and railway line boundary fences. There is a website all about Sidetracked caches including lists of where they are. If you create a sidetracked cache you may link to this website on the cache page - www.sidetrackedseries.info
Schools and children’s playgrounds .	Geocachers may feel uncomfortable searching for a cache near children or parents with children. For this reason caches will not be allowed on play equipment or within or close to playgrounds. Nor will caches be allowed on school property, boundaries or within sight of the school buildings or recreation areas. Guideline: Select an appropriate location and container. Think about how your container and the actions of geocachers seeking it will be perceived by the public. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed on school property or military bases...... Further, it is inadvisable to place geocaches near schools or military bases as the borders shown on a map may be inaccurate. Geocachers who are actively searching for a cache are likely to arouse suspicion in such environments, and we want to avoid this situation.
War memorials or other memorials to the dead .	Caches are not allowed on such memorials or within the boundary or any enclosure or garden such as a wall, chain or fence surrounding the memorial without proof of permission. This requirement for permission has been brought in as a result of concerns raised by members of the community that such locations are sensitive and should be treated with respect. Forum post announcing this requirement. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed in restricted, prohibited or otherwise inappropriate locations. The cache placement is in an area that is highly sensitive to additional foot and/or vehicular traffic including, but not limited to, archaeological sites, historical sites and cemeteries.
Culverts, Mines, Adits, Caves and Underground Quarries .	There have been issues with disturbing bats which frequently roost in some of these locations. It was decided there would be no restrictions on placing caches in these locations but to avoid any issues cache owners would be asked to show they have permission from the relevant landowner. Please note that caches in culverts under roads managed by Highways England and in culverts under railway lines (Network Rail) will not be allowed. Both these organisations have made this request and it's explained in the UK Geocaching Polices Wiki: Highways England - Network Rail.
Roundabouts	Caches will only be allowed on roundabouts where there is pedestrian access either onto it or across it in the form of footpaths, underpasses and crossings. This is to avoid any distractions to motorists using the roundabout. Please note that on roads managed by Highways England caches will not be allowed on roundabouts even if they have pedestrian access. HE have requested that no caches are placed on their road network. More details about HE are in the Landowner Agreement Database. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed in restricted, prohibited or otherwise inappropriate locations.
Electricity Substations	Caches will not be allowed within the substation fence, or attached (magnetically or otherwise) to the fence surrounding the substation. Guideline: Geocaches are not placed in restricted, prohibited or otherwise inappropriate locations.