Type 24 Pillbox (on farmland), Bossington, Holnicote Estate

Record ID:  115411 / MNA165234
Record type:  Monument
Protected Status: None Recorded
NT Property:  Holnicote Estate; South West
Civil Parish:  Selworthy; West Somerset; Somerset
Grid Reference:  SS 8929 4830
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Summary

A Second World War Type 24 pillbox, set on the northern edge of Bossington Farm land. It is constructed of concrete and brick, as it is not on the beach. It is unclear if this pillbox is still extant as it could not be located during a field visit in 2002.

Identification Images (0)

Most Recent Monitoring

None Recorded

Monument Types

  • PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24) (Mid 20th C - 1940 AD to 1945 AD)

Description

Second World War pillbox (B3) on inland of Bossington Beach. One of three, this pillbox set inland behind the pebble beach, now in the corner of the field, shielded on the north and west by small trees, and overgrown by brambles, nettles and other growth. The pillbox is built on concrete piers 0.15m square, with a beach boulder foundation. It is mainly concrete with the interior as the others, but the access is almost impossible because of the thick growth around it. [1]

A pill box, set on the northern edge of Bossington Farm land in the northeast corner of field OS no. 3518. It is constructed of concrete and brick, as it is not on the beach it is not covered with pebbles as are sites 115109 and 115110, it probably had soil and grass on the roof. Like the other two structures it is thought to be a ‘Type 24’ and has five machine gun loopholes. The entrance has been blocked and the earth around is very disturbed as badgers have had a sett in the area.[2-3]

The Second World War Type 24 pillbox was unable to be located on a field visit in 2002. 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 MSO8055. [4]

References

  • <1>XY SNA69576 - Vernacular Building Survey: National Trust. 1992. VBS: The Pillboxes Bossington Beach, Bossington. B3. [Mapped feature: #181275 ]

  • <2> SZN48220 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 2001. Holnicote Estate Archaeological Survey, Somerset. 115411.

  • <3> SNA65155 - Unpublished document: Isabel Richardson. 2007. Bossington Farm Archaeological Survey. 115411.

  • <4> SNA69539 - Collection: Exmoor National Park Authority. Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record (HER). MSO8055.

Designations

None Recorded

Other Statuses and References

  • HER/SMR Reference (External): MSO8055 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 beach), Bossington, Holnicote Estate (Monument) - 115409 / MNA165232
  • Related to: Type 24 Pillbox (on bank), Bossington, Holnicote Estate (Monument) - 115410 / MNA165233