The temporary wartime camp that became the world's largest British Army garrison

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1914, it was designed as a transient site for 40,000 soldiers. Today, Catterick Garrison is a sprawling military town of 14,0/00 people, covering 2,400 acres in North Yorkshire. Discover how a makeshift First World War camp evolved into a permanent cornerstone of British military infrastructure.

The origins of Catterick Garrison lie in the urgent mobilization of the First World War. Following the outbreak of conflict in August 1914, orders were issued to construct a camp intended to house two complete divisions, comprising roughly 40,000 men across 2,000 huts. Originally known as Richmond Camp, the site's identity shifted through several iterations, becoming Catterick Camp in 1915 and eventually Catterick Garrison in 1973.

Although the location functioned as a POW camp following the Great War, geopolitical changes prompted its transition to a permanent facility. Following the 1921 partitioning of Ireland, planners sought a permanent barracks to replace The Curragh. This led to land purchases and a construction program by John Laing & Son, with most facilities completed by the mid-1930s.

The garrison's footprint has expanded and transformed over a century. In 1994, the former RAF Catterick was transferred to the Army, becoming Marne Barracks. The town's infrastructure also reflects its military character; many barracks are named after significant British Army battles, particularly those from Northern France during the First World War. Beyond its military function, the area hosts the Foxglove Covert nature reserve, the first of its kind on UK Ministry of Defence land.

Despite its scale, the garrison has faced periods of intense scrutiny. Investigations into misconduct were launched in 2007, and the period between 1990 and 2004 saw several non-combat-related deaths recorded on the base. Today, the garrison remains a vital hub, housing specialized units like the Infantry Training Centre and the Army School of Ceremonial.

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