ELSTEAD `BEST PRESERVED` TYPE 22 PILLBOX

by

TIM DENTON

Stopping for lunch at The Mill beside the River Wey in Elstead Surrey, gave me a good opportunity to take a look at an excellent preserved pillbox .

The bullet proof Type 22 is close to the main entrance and beer garden of the picturesque restaurant and public house.

Although the brick shuttered box is topped with a large growth of ivy the wartime defence is still in excellent condition and accessible.

Internally the pillbox is extremely clean and unspoilt, and still features some of its concrete loophole tables.

A concrete lintel tops the loopholes on five of the walls, with the entrance side having two smaller loops, one of which is unusually positioned at where two walls join.

The low crouch down entrance is additionally protected by an "L shaped" blast wall.

Copyright Graham G Matthews@PSG2009