United Kingdom Landowner Agreements

Aberdeen City Council are supportive of geocaching in their parks and nature reserves but you must get permission first and follow their guidelines. Some sensitive sites may also require approval from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). These are Nigg Bay SSSI and Scotstown Moor nature reserve (also an SSSI).

A list of the parks and nature reserves is on their website.

Full details including contact information is in the GAGB Landowner Database.

Aldwark, Yorkshire

Yorkshire

Click here to download the reserve boundaries

The BC&N Wildlife trust have asked that no caches are placed on their reserves. Caches submitted which are identified in such locations cannot be published.

Click here to download the estate boundaries

Click here to download the Deer Park boundaries

One geocacher (Muddypad) has permission to place caches in the Berkeley Estate. No other caches are allowed.
No caches at all are allowed within the Deer Park.

There is more information including the Estate contacts in the GAGB Landowner Database.

Click here to download the land boundaries

No geocaching allowed on this private land.

The Agent of Bolton Abbey/Chatsworth Estates in Yorkshire (Duke of Devonshire's land) requested no caches be placed on their holdings around Barden Moor, Embsay Moor, Cracoe Fell, Barden Fell, Beamsley Moor and the Wharfe valley from Bolton Bridge almost to Burnsall (2012).

10 June 2019 - new boundaries drawn.

Click here to download the Council parks and gardens boundaries

Click here to download a map of the BBNPA owned land.

Click here to download a map of the entire Park boundary.

The Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (BBNPA) encourages geocaching within the Park boundaries but before placing a cache you must get permission from the landowner. The BBNPA does not own all the land within the Park boundary, the greater part of it is privately owned. The BBNPA will be able to give permission for caches on its own land but not for caches in the rest of the Park. You will need to contact the relevant landowner and apply for permission from them. The map shows the land owned by the BBNPA.

Caches within Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Nature Reserves will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the landowner. Caches on Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) will not be allowed anywhere within the Park boundary irrespective of who the landowner is. The Data Map Wales map will show you these areas.

N.B. Caches are allowed within Natural Resources Wales woodlands (formerly Forestry Commission) without specific permission being applied for. Please see the NRW agreement for more details.

Hiding a cache on BBNPA land. Please contact the BBNPA on 01874 624437 or email enquiries@beacons-npa.gov.uk. Please use the following format for your email:

Subject: Geocaching Permission Request
Your name:
Your geocaching username:
Name of area where the cache is to be placed (this is shown on the map):
Coordinates and Location on OS maps (insert link from Streetmap)*:
GC number of the cache (if you have created the page)
Any other relevant information:

Hiding a cache on private land within the Park. You will need to find out who the landowner is. When you do it is suggested you provide them with the same information as shown above.

When you get confirmation from the BBNPA or landowner please copy the entire email to your cache page as a 'Reviewer Note' and submit it for review again.

All caches should comply with the Geocache Listing Requirements / Guidelines and the UK Geocaching Policies Wiki.

Forum Post

British Telecom have requested that no caches are placed in or on their phone boxes.
Please note that this only applies to phone boxes (of any type) operated by British Telecom and not to any operated by other telecommunications companies such as Kingston Upon Hull Telecom, Manx Telecom, Jersey Telecom or Cable & Wireless (Guernsey). Nor does it apply to any of the old 'red' phone boxes that are out of use and may be owned and maintained as attractions by local councils or parish councils. For these normal permission would apply.

Click here to download the estate boundaries

The Brocklesby Estate have given permission for only one geocacher to place caches on their land. The estate may give permission for others to hide caches in the future but as of January 2013 this has not yet been agreed to.
Note that the estate is only open to the public from 1st April-31st August.

Click here to download the estate boundary

Broomhall Estate Fife. Caches may be placed with permission from the estate factor - Kathleen Brewster
kb@drrural.co.uk

Click here to download the estate boundary

This is a National Nature Reserve owned by the City of London Corporation. No caches are allowed in the woodland.

Click here to download the estate boundary

MAGIC (England only)
To show sensitive locations such as SSSI's. The map does not show the canal trusts land holdings

The Trust have said there is no specific restrictions on placing caches on their land other than to ensure no damage results to towpaths or the surrounding area.
Further details about the Canal & River trust are in the GAGB Landowner database.

If the area is sensitive for other reasons such as a nature reserve, site of special scientific interest or historical/archeological then specific permission may be required. Please see the section Protected Land Area in this Wiki about such areas. The MAGIC map will help identify such areas.

Caches are allowed within the CMRP but will require permission from the landowners. The park ranger service will contact the landowner on behalf of the cache owner so requests for permission should go to the ranger service directly. Contact information is on the CMRP website - click here.

There are Sustrans cycle tracks through the park. These are not controlled by the the park rangers so caches on such a cycle track should have permission directly from the landowner. More information may be available on the Sustrans website - click here.

Click here to download the council land boundaries

The Borough Council are generally happy to support Geocaching but wish to be informed of the locations of geocaches before they are placed. Please contact the General Country Site Team e mail address countryside@colchester.gov.uk for permission prior to placing a geocache.

Click here to download the trust land boundaries

Woodland near Goodrich in Herefordshire. The Coppett Hill Trust are keen for geocachers to use the woodland but ask they seek permission first before placing caches.
Trust website: http://www.coppett-hill.org.uk/home.html
Trust email: trustees@coppett-hill.org.uk

By agreement with the Trees and Woodlands Officer, geocaching is permitted on the following sites: Hearsall Wood, Plants Hill Wood, Pig Wood, Park Wood, Stivichall Woods, Ten Shilling Wood, Wainbody Wood North.
These sites may be accessed between 1 June and 31 January. This is in consideration of nesting birds.

Geocaching is not permitted on the following sites at any times:
Binley Little Wood, Coundon Community Wood, Kenilworth Road Spinney, Tile Hill Wood, Wainbody Wood South, Limbrick Wood, Willenhall Wood.

If you require any additional information regarding the woodlands, please contact our Trees and Woodlands Officer, Tim Rose on (024) 7683 5200.

Click here to download the land boundaries

The landowner, Mr Simpson has requested that no caches are placed in this area of Spitchwick common  including Sharp Tor. His concern is the already large number of letterboxes on Dartmoor and the likely increase in damage to the land with geocaches also being placed. The Google Map overlay is drawn from map data supplied by the landowner.

Click here to download the land boundaries

This is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) have refused permission for geocaches in this location. The map area is drawn from data the DNPA supplied. This specific area therefore doesn't come under the current DNPA geocaching agreement (see that entry on this page).

The DNPA is outlined in yellow on the OS 1:50 scale maps.
Click here for an example

The Dartmoor National Park Authority are very supportive of geocaching but you must follow their guidelines when placing caches anywhere within the park boundary.

Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM) are legally protected areas and caches may or may not be allowed in such locations. You will need to contact a local geocacher, Dave Martin (Dartmoor Dave) who is the liaison with the DNPA and give him the coordinates so he can check with the DNPA. He will not be able to see your cache as it's not published so don't send him a link. You can email him through his profile. Dave will reply to you via email and if the location is approved please copy the text of his email as a Reviewer Note on the cache and submit it for review again. If the location is not suitable then you will need to move the cache.

You can use the MAGIC map to check locations on Dartmoor. The map has the layer for SAM’s enabled so you can see them. Details of how to use the MAGIC map are in this Wiki.

Map of reserves not available. Please see the DWT website

The Devon Wildlife trust are happy for caches to be placed on their reserves. You must apply for permission before placing a cache. Details are available on their website.
There is also an interactive application form that you can fill in with your cache application and email to the DWT.
Click here to download the form.

Click here to download the EWT reserve boundaries

The Essex Wildlife trust are happy for caches to be placed on their reserves. You must apply for permission before placing a cache. An interactive application form is available which contains all the details and guidelines to follow.
Click here to download the form.

Click here to download a map of the village playing fields.

Etwall Parish Council have requested that no geocaches are placed on the council owned playing fields and village hall.

Click here to download maps of each forest region as well as find locations on an interactive map.

Click here for a map of the forests and woodlands in the care of NRW.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) now manages/owns all forests previously in the care of the Forestry Commission. They have said there is no specific restrictions on caches placed on their woodland and permission is not required. However there are some guidelines which do include some restrictions. Caches cannot be placed in sensitive sites such as sites of special scientific interest, nature reserves or archaeological sites.

NRW Website. 

MAGIC (England only)

The FC England are generally supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing a cache on their land. There are some FC areas where the agreement allows geocaches to be placed without first contacting them. These districts are listed here in the database.

All forestry districts in England are shown on the MAGIC map (link on the left which also explains how to use it).

The MAGIC map shows all forestry areas in England and is the best resource to identify woodland.

MAGIC map

There are strict guidelines about placing caches on Forestry Commission land within the New Forest and in Dorset.

Please refer to the GAGB landowner database for the full guideline which includes contact details for the FC.

MAGIC map

New agreement June 2022

No caches can be placed on FE West District land without prior permission.

The Forestry England Western District is sub-divided into 3 areas

West - South, West - Central and West - North.

The actual boundaries are unclear but a map showing the areas can be found here

The South area includes Bristol, the Mendips, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and some of Dorset.

The full guidelines to follow for West - South region can be viewed in the here

Application forms for all 3 areas can be found on the GAGB LAD here

The previous agreement was archived in March 2021

MAGIC map to view SSSI's and SAM's

Map of the area covered by the FC East England region

Caches may be placed on CROW* forest land managed by the FC East England region without permission being required but subject to specific guidelines being followed.

Caches are NOT allowed in Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with the exception of two areas where they are allowed - Breckland Forest (Thetford) and Sandlings. Caches are also NOT allowed in Scheduled Ancient Monuments (SAM). You can identify SSSI's and SAM's using the MAGIC map.

Caches must also be placed within 5 meters of a ride, forest road or trail edge must not be placed in potential bat roosts, for example in tree crevices.

You must read the full agreement before placing a cache. Click here to view the agreement and guidelines, including any maps of the area.

In accordance with the Agreement, this disclaimer must be added to the cache page description -

"The landowner (Forestry Commission East England) does not assess the suitability or safety of the cache location. The cache placer and the cache finder have a responsibility to take reasonable precautions to protect their own safety and the safety of others. Hazards observed at or on route to the cache location should be reported to the cache placer".

*Countryside Right of Way access land.

The FC North West England allow geocaching in their forest areas but you must get permission first from the rangers. Details of how to apply by email for permission are given on their website (click here) and includes who to contact. On receipt of your email the FC will check your cache location and may contact you within 10 days if there are any issues. If you don't hear from the FC after 10 days you may go ahead and place the cache. When submitting your cache for review please paste the permission email into a reviewer note, or a copy (showing the date) of your email if you hear nothing.

The map link on the left gives details of the areas covered.

Click here to download the land boundaries

For reasons of security, geocaches within this zone around Gatwick Airport must have permission from the airport authorities.

Council Interactive map

Geocaching is allowed in the parks managed by the council. This document explains the rules about the parks and includes geocaching ((section 9).

Click here to download the council land boundaries

Gosport Borough Council allow geocaching on land they own and manage within the Borough. They have an agreement on their website which explains what is required to place a cache there.
The maps (left) show the area in Google maps.
Link to Gosport Borough Council geocaching agreement website

Click here to download the reserve boundaries

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife trust have requested that no caches are placed on their reserves.
Details and guidelines to follow are in the GAGB landowner database.

Hampshire Countryside Services and Titchfield Haven

Southern England

.

New Agreement May 2024

The Hampshire Countryside Services have provided areas where geoching is not allowed, allowed with permission and allowed without.

These areas are based on ...

Red Zones - no geocaches

Amber Zones - with permission

Green Zones - allowed but notify GAGB Rep.

GAGB Agreement

Geocachers wishing to place caches within the campus should make contact with the following:

Ross Ferguson, Security & Resilience Manager

ross.ferguson@hw.ac.uk & safeguarding@hw.ac.uk

• Geocacher makes contact either directly or via Geocaching reviewer to place a Geocache on campus.

• Geocacher will be requested to provide the following information.

• Geocache name

• Exact co-ordinates

• Size and description of container

• How the container is going to be hidden

• Once information is received, Ross Ferguson will review and decide on permission being granted.

• Due to Jean Muir Student Village (Borders campus) being accommodation, permission will not be granted for Geocaches to be placed on Heriot-Watt property at this location.

The Geocacher will be requested to post the following information within the description of the Geocache page.

Heriot-Watt University welcomes Geocaching within the grounds, but respectfully request the following:

1. If bringing a car onto campus please park in a visitor car park, which are signposted within the entrance to the campus.

2. The campus has good public transport, the following buses travel directly onto campus. Nos. 25, 34, 45, 63.

3. Geocaching on campus during the hours of darkness is unfortunately not permitted.

Click here to download the latest National Highways road network map (PDF document)

Click here for an interactive map of the areas affected

Click here to download the trust boundaries

The John Muir Trust are happy for caches to be placed on their land. You must inform them of the cache location. There are specific guidelines to follow. Details of these and contact information is in the GAGB landowner database.

Map of reserves not available. Please see the KWT website

The Kent Wildlife trust have given approval for caches to be placed on some of their reserves. You must apply for permission before placing a cache.
Details and contact information is in the GAGB landowner database.

Laburnum Farm, Wistow. No caches to be placed on any of the 2000 acres of land belonging to the farm.
25 zones cover the Laburnum Farm land and are named individually.
Farm owner Mr Thomas Hind contacted Geocaching HQ. Nov 21

Leeds City Council allow caching in Otley Chevin country park but you must get permission for your cache.

Leeds City Council Parks Department

The Royal Parks have requested that no physical caches or cache stages be placed in their parks. This includes on any boundary fences, gates or hedges. This is for both security and environmental reasons. Virtual waypoints for multi-caches would be allowed. Geocaching events are also allowed subject to any guidelines for such activity the Royal Parks may apply.

These are the Royal Parks affected: Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Richmond Park, Bushy Park, St James's Park, The Green Park, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Brompton Cemetery, Victoria Tower Gardens, Grosvenor Square Garden.

W.E.F 22 Aug 23 - New GAGB Agreement

The Landowner’s Agent has advised that no further geocaches of any type are permitted on Lundy Island.  The existing caches on the island are allowed to continue.

GAGB Agreement

Click here to download the MOD leased land boundary

The Ministry of Defence have said caching on land they DO NOT own but lease for military use is permitted (subject to any other landowner permission).

These are the areas covered by this guideline:
  - Merrivale and Okehampton ranges - Dartmoor.

Such land is likely to be used for training which may include live firing. Caches in these areas must have the following warning on the cache page:
Please Note: This is a Military Training Area on which live firing and other pyrotechnics may be used. The area is generally open public access. One of the safety rules for public access is:- Do not, (and ensure that children do not) approach, touch or pick up any metal objects lying on the ground. Please obey all bylaws and locally posted information concerning times when the area may be closed. These may be physical barriers, marker posts, flags, lights or manned control posts.
To have the text as shown in bold and red please see the page in the Help Center on HTML code for cache pages.

Click here to download the MOD estate land boundary

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) have said they do not want geocaching activity on the land they own - the Defence Estate. The MOD have not supplied any maps to show where this land is. The only land that can be identified is that shown on the 1:25000 scale Ordnance Survey maps. However even this may not be completely accurate but it is the best available. The link on the left opens an overlay of this land in Google Maps.

Any caches submitted on land shown in this overlay (the OS maps) will not be published until the CO has contacted the MOD to confirm that it is not part of the MOD Estate or is land they lease (see entry above). Such confirmation will need to be submitted with the cache for review in writing (email or letter). Click here  for help on how to add this as a Reviewer Note.

Identifying MOD land on the OS 1:25,000 maps

MAGIC (England only)

Ordnance Survey (Wales)

Worms Head, South Wales

Click here to download the NTS land in Scotland.

Culzeen Estate
Drum Castle Woods

The National Trust Scotland are supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing a cache on their land.
Geocaching is currently NOT allowed on the Culzean Estate

Contact details for NTS are on their website - click here.

Click here to download the park boundary.

The Nene Park Trust are supportive of geocaching but you must get permission first.
Details and contact information in the GAGB Landowner database.

Newnham Lodge Northamptonshire

East Midlands

Click here to download the park boundaries

Northumberland County Council are supportive of geocaching in these two country parks but permission must be obtained first.

You can contact the council through their Parks and Recreation department.

Click here to download a map of the reserves where geocaching is permitted.

Click here to download a map of the reserves where geocaching is NOT permitted.

Click here to download the fishery boundary

Caches are allowed with permission before placing caches. Email oxneadfishery@yahoo.com The contact at the fishery is Ashe Hurst.

Permission must be sought directly from the Parc Ranger prior to any caches being placed.

Benjamin Sands

Tel: 01443 816853

Geocachers can place geocaches in the SSSI of the Peak District Eastern Moors provided they are no more than 2m from a Public Right of Way (PRoW).

GAGB LAD November 2023 - https://www.gagb.org.uk/agreement_view.php?id=229#gsc.tab=0

Geocache containers must be larger than 100ml to prevent ingestion by wild animals

Permission must be sought directly from the Trust prior to any caches being placed.

Stuart Hemsley-Rice
Commercial Officer, The Penllergare Trust, Visitor Centre, Penllergare Valley Woods, Penllergaer, SA4 9GS
Tel: 01792 344 224 
Email stuart.hemsley-rice@penllergare.org

Caches are allowed to be placed in the following locations:

• Morton Stanley Park
• Walkwood Coppice
• Arrow Valley Country Park
• Pitcheroak & Foxlydiate Woods
• Southcrest Woods
• Wirehill Wood
• Oakenshaw Woods

Rombalds Moor - aka Ilkley Moor - Bradford Council

Yorkshire

Click here to see the general area

Bradford Council allows unrestricted caching on Rombalds Moor SSSI - no specific permission is required.

The boundary map is not accurate as no definitive map was obtained.

Click here to download the woodland boundary

Geocaching is not allowed in this privately owned woodland.

Click here to download the park boundary

Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service are happy for caches to be placed within the park without specific permission being required as long as all guidelines are followed.

Map of reserves not available. Please see the SWT website.

The Shropshire Wildlife trust have given approval for caches to be placed on their reserves. You must apply for permission before placing a cache.
Details and contact information is in the GAGB landowner database.

The Somerset Wildlife Trust encourages geocaching in some of their reserves but before placing a cache you must get permission.  Some reserves have restrictions where no caches are allowed or only the SWT may place them.

Please click here for details of the guidelines to follow and how to apply for permission.

The map of the reserves you can download shows all the reserves. Where caching is allowed the reserve is highlighted in green and where caching is not allowed in red.

Map of reserves not available. Please see the SWT website.

The Staffordshire Wildlife trust have given approval for caches to be placed on  their reserves. You must apply for permission before placing a cache and their are some restrictions on how many caches can be placed.
Details of this and contact information is in the GAGB landowner database.

Click here to download the park boundary

The Stanstead Estate management have request that no geocaches are placed on the estate land and woodland.

The Mendip Society have two local nature reserve and are supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing any caches. The two reserves are Tania's Wood and Sladers Leigh.

Contact details for The Mendip Society - Judith Tranter judith.tranter1@btinternet.com

Click here to download the reservoir boundary

No geocaching allowed on land owned or managed by United Utilities around Roddlesworth Reservoir.Please note: This overlay is an approximation of the area as no definitive maps are available. It is believed the area is all the woodland around the reservoirs. If you think your cache is not within the excluded area then you should contact United Utilities to confirm this.

Click here to download the park boundary

The University of Leicester have asked that no caches are placed on the campus.

Click here to download the land boundary

No geocaching allowed on this private land.

Click here to download the land boundary

No geocaching allowed on this private estate.

MAGIC (UK)

WT Interactive map (UK)

The WT are very supportive of geocaching but you must get permission before placing a cache on their land. An interactive application form is available which contains all the details and guidelines to follow. It is suggested that you create a new cache page (save it but don't submit for review) so you have a GC number for the form. Click here for the application form.
The Woodland Trust have a policy stating "no fire tacks".

The MAGIC map is the easiest way to check a location for England, Wales and Scotland .

GAGB Landowner database