Summary
A Second World War Type 24 pillbox built on the beach at Bossington, faced with pebbles to camouflage it. It is about 6m across and is now surrounded by pebbles on the south side. Still extant but in a poor condition.
Identification Images (1)
Monument Types
- PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24) (Mid 20th C - 1940 AD to 1945 AD)
Description
Second World War pillbox (B2) on Bossington Beach. One of three, this is one is situated towards the top of the shingle ridge, it is remarkably well camouflaged with external walls completely matching the beach boulders in size and colour. [1]
A pillbox built on the beach at Bossington, faced with pebbles to camouflage it. The building is constructed of concrete and pebbles, which possibly also covered the roof. It is about 6m across and is now surrounded by pebbles on the south side, but with the concrete foundations apparent on the north, as the beach has moved inland. It was probably an FW 3 Type 24, which was used for up to 5 light machine guns and 2 rifles, with a garrison of 8 or 9 men. The other four pill boxes around Porlock Bay are of similar design. [2-3]
A Second World War Type 24 pillbox was noted during a field visit in 1997 to be extant but in a poor condition. It was also visible from historical aerial photographs and mapped as part of the Severn Estuary RCZAS mapping project. Further information, sources and photograph references are available in the Exmoor National Park HER record MSO8053. [4]
References
- SNA65155 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 2007. Bossington Farm Archaeological Survey. 115409.
- SNA69539 - Collection: Exmoor National Park Authority. Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record (HER). MSO8053.
- SNA69576 - Vernacular Building Survey: National Trust. 1992. VBS: The Pillboxes Bossington Beach, Bossington. B2. [Mapped feature: #181261 ]
- SZN48220 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 2001. Holnicote Estate Archaeological Survey, Somerset. 115409.
Designations
None Recorded
Other Statuses and References
- HER/SMR Reference (External): MSO8053 Exmoor National Park HER
- National Park (Exmoor)
Associated Events
- ENA3149 - Field Survey, Archaeological Survey of the Holnicote Estate 2001
- ENA6642 - Field Survey, Bossington Farm Archaeological Survey
- ENA10529 - Heritage Assessment, Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: National Mapping Programme
- ENA10577 - Heritage Assessment, Vernacular Building Surveys within the Holnicote Estate, 1991-1997
Associated Finds
None Recorded
Related Records
- Related to: Type 24 Pillbox (on bank), Bossington, Holnicote Estate (Monument) - 115410 / MNA165233
- Related to: Type 24 Pillbox (on farmland), Bossington, Holnicote Estate (Monument) - 115411 / MNA165234