FOWBERRY PILLBOX

NORTHUMBERLAND

by

PAUL TOMPSON

NGR:NU1904 3284

I recently stumbled upon this Pillbox which does not appear to be listed on the Defence of Britain Database.

This defence structure is a rectangular pillbox and it is located on the footpath to Fowberry at grid reference NU1904 3284. It is constructed of concrete and has three loop holes on both of the longest elevation. These are grouped closely and are at opposite ends of their respective sides.

The southern short side has only one central loop hole. The northern short side has one main loop hole the entrance that is only about 18" wide and 3' high set in to a very narrow recess and a small loop hole to cover the entrance. There is a central blast wall and long benches under the loop holes. The condition is good with no graffeti.

I was driving along back lanes of north Northumberland looking for hidden defences when low and behold I saw a big black out line over a mile away sitting on a slight rise. It turned out to be a great rectangular pillbox about a hundred yards from the road, right on the footpath to Fowberry. Once you know its there it can clearly be seen from the destroyed pillbox above Bambrough Beach and is of the same type as the one with the tower built on it at Cheswick Beach a few miles to the north.

PAUL TOMPSON

Copyright Graham G Matthews@PSG2007