There’s a secret spot in Yorkshire that’s so off-limits, you could end up in jail if you try to visit. Fylingdales, nestled between Whitby and Pickering, is an RAF base used by the United States.
This base, tucked away in the North York Moors, forms part of the Anglo-American nuclear missile early warning system. It’s designed to detect and respond to any ballistic missile threats on UK soil.
The radar at this base is run by the US, while the UK oversees other operations. The radar can see as far as 3,000 miles into space, covering areas as distant as Africa. Because of its size and purpose, it even has its own dedicated power station.
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Fylingdales also serves non-military purposes, like tracking objects orbiting Earth, as it’s part of the US Space Surveillance Network. This base has been operational since September 1963.
During the Cold War, the station boasted three 40-metre high radomes. These were replaced by a 37-metre high tetrahedron structure completed in 1992.
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The base employs 350 military personnel, military police, and civilian staff. Its military use often draws anti-war demonstrations.
Like RAF Menwith Hill, Fylingdales is protected by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCAP). Although the station is heavily guarded, you can catch a glimpse inside it in the official UK forces video below.
Fylingdales is one of several off-limits places, ranging from US spy bases and military firing ranges to private estates. Trespassing on these sites could get you into a lot of trouble.
Trespassing can result in a fine as it’s a civil matter. If the sites are protected under the 2005 Serious Crime and Police Act (SOCAP), you could be arrested, fined or even jailed.
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