Anti-Torpedo Close Protection Pontoons (ATCPP), were an experimental device used for close protection of naval vessels at anchor in Scapa Flow from attack by aircraft-launched torpedoes. These pontoons were only in operation in Scapa Flow for 13 months (March 1941–April 1942) and very few were brought into service. As such […]
Home Front
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OS: 203 Land’s End NGR: SW 5145 – 2990 (Centre of island) ‘One-Off’ Design Pillbox Located on the Western side of the Mount Concrete block constructed ‘one-off’ design. From the front and side elevation it appears that the Pillbox is rectangular but from the rear you can see that it […]
Seaplane Pillbox OS118 NGR: SJ926654 On a recent visit to the Peak District National Park I decided to investigate a report of a Pillbox that guarded a local reservoir. If you drive along the A54 from Buxton to Congleton you will find Bosley Reservoir just south of the road. Down […]
30/9/2025 ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10159 (Extant) ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10160 (Extant) ANTI TANK VERTICAL RAIL: e10161 (Extant)
30/9/2025 SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71981 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71980 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71979 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: e71978 (Extant) SPIGOT MORTAR EMPLACEMENT: S0015414 (Extant) Not convinced this is a spigot mortar base but it’s in amongst the others.
No Pillboxes have been recorded by the Defence of Britain Project. The NGRs are from Isle of Man Government Survey. RAF Jurby RAF Jurby – Existing Pillboxes 22(L)/SC3600297864/RAF Jurby/Site of C Flight Dispersal 22(S)/SC3680198226/RAF Jurby/Site of B Flight Dispersal 22/SC3537798955/RAF Jurby/Site of D Flight Dispersal 22(S)/SC3690698958/RAF Jurby/Site of A Flight […]
Roseisle Beach Defences Burghead, Scotland The beach at Roseisle near Burghead were used by the Americans and Canadians for training exercises for the D Day landings. Just off the coast at Findhorn are 8 amphibious tanks that sank during training exercises. What makes them particularly interesting is that they are […]
Anti Invasion Defences. As an enthusiast for all matters relating to the second world war I was very surprised to find when I moved house to Scotland substantial lengths of coastal defences still in place with only small amounts of it being removed and some buried by the continual shifting […]
Defences at Findhorn Findhorn is located on the Moray Firth and is the next settlement to the west of Roseisle. The sandy beaches and easy access inland from same made this area a potentially attractive invasion area. It was therefore heavily fortified. The whole of the peninsular on which the […]
Archaeology Notes NN15NE 6 174 567 quotes the following: “An archaeological survey has been undertaken to inform the National Trust for Scotland of the range of archaeological features on their Glencoe Estate, with additional information relating to historic sources, management, interpretation and possibilities for future research.” NN 174 567 Three […]
Markinch NGR: NO 295 033. The first pictures are of a pillbox over looking the railway line from Kirkcaldy to Leuchars (Edinburgh to Aberdeen). The Pillbox is in very good condition, though full of rubbish. I didn’t have a torch, so I didn’t venture inside. Whitehill Plantation NGR: NO 301 […]
COAST ARTILLERY BATTERY: S0001800 (Extant) On a recent visit to Kincraig near Earls Ferry in Fife, Alan Tait was able to have a look around the Coastal Gun Battery. Although much of it is in a sorry state, it is a good example of some of the larger defence structures […]
Firth Of Forth, Fife NGR: NT186 838 This battery is located on the Firth of Forth near Dalgety Bay, Fife. The battery and surrounding buildings are in pretty good condition. Not too much graffiti and still signs of camo paint on some of the walls. By Gregg Campbell
Military features. Conwyl elfed area. Next to the old Rock & Fountain pub on the A484 lies this series of WW2 military reminders. Left is a pill box built onto the side of the reservoir pump house and overlooks the river and railway track on the opposite bank. The pill box on the Right is overlooking the road […]
Bridlington Auburn Sands, Bridlington was a very vulnerable, quiet area, perfect for a German landing, with smooth, golden, flat, sandy beaches and flat tank country behind it. Today, it is a perfect example of surviving ‘coastal crust’ defences and most definitely worth a visit. Interestingly, it is still possible to […]
A type CP/6/40/111 pillbox at the Sands of Wright, Orkney. Thought to have been moved from it’s original position.
One of the two 12pdr temporary mountings for Scad battery – there’s no sign of the other. Pictures and video June 2025. Light (for Orkney) rain falling.
Pictures from 04/09/2015 showing damage caused by tree lopping. Pictures from May 2015 Pictures from 2011
Site of roadblock in Alnwick, Northumberland. Latitude / Longitude: 55.40852564, -1.69695953Easting / Northing: 419286, 612774OS Grid Reference: NU 19286 12774What3Words: ///heaven.parsnips.talents
A fine lozenge pillbox now in a new housing estate.
NZ 51474 28639
A section / Infantry post that has recently been discovered in Brenda Road, Hartlepool. It’s not on the EDOB as of 20/4/2025
An Unusual Defence Structure at Bandeath Dear Pillbox Study Group Firstly congratulations on an excellent and informative website! I’ve had a browse through the different types of pillbox etc but can’t see anything like the structure in the attached photo, so wondered if you had any ideas. Location is Bandeath, […]
A Home Guard / Explosives Store located in the wilds of South Northumberland at Leazes Lane, Whitley Chapel at 54.91653392964734, -2.116918033117586, NY 92607 57982, What3Words: ///nearly.elders.reboot Pictures by colin Anderson August 2023.
Polygonal concrete south facing pillbox listed in wills 1985. Not discernible on aerial photographs. 1999 Type 22 pillbox, shell-proof. Photos Myles Munsey 2024
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28 TWIN): S0005736 (Extant) 18/02/2000 A twin embrasure type 28a anti-tank gun emplacement. A large circular hole (at least 3ft in diameter) has been cut in the roof near the SE corner. The concrete slab from the hole lies on the roof to the left of the hole. […]
This pillbox has been cleared of vegetation (Jan 2024) (I surmise as a result of the general upgrade works here by Sustrans along the towpath). All the loopholes have, however, been bricked up. It looks way better! There is a metal door at the back which was not bolted shut […]
A second “Beehive” pillbox at Scrog Hill.
“Beehive” pillbox near Scrog Hill, Northumberland.
The picture shows a Pillbox built in 1940 and demolished in 1950. It was sited to defend a HAA Battery situated on the common where at one point Sir Mortimer Wheeler was in command.
A six-sided lozenge-shaped pillbox, with a blast wall protecting the entrance on the W side. An Orlit aircraft post stands on top of it, reached by an iron ladder.
Coastal battery. The gun emplacements and revetments are in good condition. Magazines are banked and covered and seem reasonably sound. Some of the ancillary buildings are now roofless.
Located just north of Morpeth.
A Pickett Hamilton fort has been recently uncovered in a field next to the Amazon warehouse at the site of the former RAF Sealand on Deeside. As of 21/5/23 it’s future is uncertain. Thanks to Colin Jones for taking and giving permission to use the photos. Photos – Colin Jones
WW2 defensive military structures in woodland, north of avenue north farm, the avenue, Seaton Delaval hall estate, Northumberland, comprising a rifle section post with two hardened stores (nz31925 7660), also a defensible stone wall near lookout farm, the avenue nz325768) Design/location/construction notes of rifle section post and hardened stores. Military […]
This pillbox is located on high ground overlooking Greenhead in Northumberland and is constructed in the “Cumberland Pattern,” mostly circular with a concrete roof supported by a central column. Construction is concrete sandbag except for reinforced concrete roof.
Concentric rings of concrete anchor blocks used to hold the balloon when lowered. These at Neb on Flotta have been exposed by peat cutting.
Located either side of Northside Road in Birsay Latitude / Longitude: 59.13761124, -3.30437422 Easting / Northing: 325461, 1028597 OS Grid Reference: HY 25461 28597 What3Words: ///erupts.dunk.catch
Latitude / Longitude: 54.96622732, -1.71912432, Easting / Northing: 418081, 563547, OS Grid Reference: NZ 18081 63547, What3Words: ///twice.appear.care
A Pair of Explosives stores, probably part of the Tyne Demolition Line as they are close to the Bridges at Wylam and on the South side of the river as are identical stores at other bridges along the Tyne. The “windows” in the ends of both buildings have been crudely […]
Former Reyrolle Works Hebburn, Tyne & Wear. NZ 30468 63767 This is the only surviving example at the former Reyrolle works. There were originally at least three of these. Two others can be seen in EAW033926 on Britain from above
Pictures from 2006, sadly this has been demolished to make way for housing.
Killingworth Anti Aircraft Ammo distribution site. Pictures from 2006, sadly this has now been demolished to make way for housing.
These are located on the South side of the river next to Newcastle University Boat Club Boathouse. Most likely used to store demolition charges for thebridge as part of the Tyne Demolition line.
This is located just North of the railway bridge over the road next to the Boatside pub in Warden near Hexham.
One of three Northumberland D type Pillboxes in Eglingham, Northumberland
Located in Holywell and clad in local stone. Normally completely overgrown, this pillbox was briefly visible back in 2010.
There are two AT Hairpins at the ford on Batt House road, near New Ridley, which may be in their original position. They are identical in construction (mitred and welded) to the ones re-used near Allendale.
Explosives store at Allenheads, Northumberland. Recently cleared of vegetation (2021). This is part of the Allenheads Mine complex. Construction is identical to the other Explosives stores that are located near to many of the bridges which formed parts of the Tyne Demolition line. This was most likely for storing explosives […]
10 re-purposed AT Hairpins spread along the road from Allendale to Catton in Northumberland. They measure 38″ high and 72″ long. The RSJs are 6″ wide. These are the mitred and welded variety which were found to be weaker than the bent rail type and so fell out of use.
This is on Private land. We were granted permission to clean up and survey the Zero Station. An article about the clean up appeared in the Northumberland Archaeology Magazine. The clean up took place on 29/5/2010.
Heading South out of Kirkwall, past the Highland Park distillery, there is, what appears to be, the roof and base of a type 22 pillbox, it looks like the roof has been propped up on bricks and the pillbox removed. This is very close to the line of the Inganess […]
Pictures from 2007.
All structures are generally in good order. Control Pillbox. NGR: 896104: Steval Not totally sure of its function, but guess it to be a control/command centre. Located on above a gun emplacement. It is hard to get a decent overall picture of the structure because of the vegetation around the […]
A Site Hangars a week or so before demolition in 2008.The two K Type Hangars were situated north west of the M62 Jn 9. Three L Type Hangars 8E-6E-1E on E Site which was west of A Site but still on the north side of the M62.Also on the west […]
Buildings at former Royal Ordnance Factory Hooton. Two Consol Firewatchers posts mounted on gantries to give a view over the rooves. Air raid siren mounted on small brick building. Photo’s from Terry Eyres – 2010.
Air Raid Shelter in the back garden of a house on Mitford Road, Morpeth.
Some photographs of the restored Stanton air raid shelter at the former RAF Carew Cheriton airfield. More info about RAF Carew Cheriton here The shelter was moved by contractors of the nearby road improvement scheme. It has been erected by members of the Carew Cheriton Control Group on their museum […]
The 6pdr Hotchkiss MKV gun was housed in a brick and concrete extension on the East end of the old Coast Guard Rocket House. The emplacement remains with the embrasure bricked up. The Rocket house has a large square window (just out of shot in the second picture) which most […]
We corresponded a couple of weeks ago regarding a road block at Pear Tree lane, Little Common, Bexhill and you have added it to your gazetteer. Now, on the main road from Bexhill to Ninfield / Battle a pillbox has appeared! Somebody has recently cleared all the undergrowth from around […]
Wandering around Rye Harbour back in 2009, bumped into these Road Block Cylinders.
Site of anti tank vertical rail roadblock. Britain from above shows a D type pillbox to the left of the dip in the wall.
Scant evidence for an anti tank vertical rail roadblock. There is evidence of another round the junction to the right in the first picture, as well as definite signs in a previous post.
Pics from March 2025 Pictures from 2020
Buston links, South of Alnmouth, Northumberland.
Lots of tidal activity and heavy rain scoured away the sand that covered this Admirality Z1 beach scaffolding. Pictures taken Oct 2019.
Morpeth Air Raid Shelters Update 28/10/2020 Driving through Morpeth it was obvious that some work had been done to the pair of Air Raid shelters between houses on St Mary’s Field. Rather than demolishing them they’ve been rendered and preserved for the future. A pair of civil air raid shelters […]