See important guidance on the use of this record.

If you have any comments or new information about this record, please email us.

Summary

A Chain Home (CH) radar station receiver block and associated structures, part of RAF Northam radar station, are visible on aerial photographs of 1945 onwards as an earthwork and structure. The block was covered with earthwork protection until circa 1992, which has now been removed revealing the underlying structure.

Location

Protected Status

• Listed Building (II) 1425450: Northam Chain Home Radar Station

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS42NW/187/2

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BUNKER (World War II - 1941 AD to 1944 AD)
• CHAIN HOME STATION (World War II - 1941 AD to 1944 AD)
• NISSEN HUT? (World War II to XX - 1941 AD to 1946 AD)

Full description

Horner, B., Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV1669.

Probably part of northam radar station (horner).

Turton, S. D. + Weddell, P. J., Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV1856.

One of several features shown as mounds on modern os map, but fieldwork has confirmed they contain definite structures of simple rectangular plan, with air-vents, chimneys and doorways. These features are not shown on any maps before 1938 and are most likely wwii defensive bunkers. They command views over northam burrows, which may have been considered a potential landing-place (turton + weddell, 93.25).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV1858.

Turton, s. D. + weddell, p. J. /archaeological assessment of sww taw-torridge tidal waters improvements/(1993)3/(emafu report 93.25).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV1859.

Turton, s. D. + weddell, p. J. /archaeological assessment of sww taw-torridge tidal waters improvements part 1: southern routes/(1993)4/(emafu report 93.32).

Untitled Source (Migrated Record). SDV1860.

Des=horner, w.(dcc)/as above/(12/2/1999).

Historic England, 12/08/2015, Northam Chain Home Radar Station, North of Appledore Road and Long's Lane, Northam, Bideford, Torridge, Devon (Correspondence). SDV358979.

Northam radar station, which operated between 1941 and 1944, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Degree of survival: as a substantially intact Chain Home radar station which retains its principal buildings, tower and mast bases, and other related structures; which allow a clear understanding of how the site functioned;
* Historic interest: as a physical manifestation of tensions and fears during the Second World War, which resulted in the establishment of a chain of radar stations to protect Britain’s coast;
* Group value: for its strong visual and spatial relationship with two associated decoy targets (recommended for scheduling).

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1420 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349553.

The receiver block is visible as an earthwork.

Geonex UK, 1992, 113/99, DCC GEONEX/159/92 213-214 15-OCT-1992 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349625.

The receiver block remains visible as an earthwork.

Next Perspectives, 2001, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: (Aerial Photograph). SDV349376.

The receiver block is visible as a structure partly covered by an earthwork protection.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

The receiver block is visible as a structure.

Passmore, M. + Passmore, A., 2011, Royal Air Force Air-Defence Radar Station Northam (Leaflet). SDV347318.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S., 2011 - 2012, North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV349018.

The earthwork and structural remains of a Chain Home (CH) Second World War radar station receiver block are viisble on aerial photographs of 1945 onwards. The receiver block would have provided protection for radar station personnel. The blockhouse remained covered with earthwork protection from 1946 to 1992. This was partly removed by May 2001, and completely removed by May 2007, probably during the construction of an adjacent house and courtyard building. Smaller rectangular structures to the north-west, possibly including Nissen Hut type temporary structures, were probably associated with the blockhouse and the operation of the transmitter tower.

English Heritage, 2015, Northam Radar Station: receiver blocks, transmitter blocks, substation, receiver tower bases and Advance or Intermediate Chain Home structures , North of Appledore Road and Long's Lane, Northam, Bideford, Devon (Correspondence). SDV358032.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV1669	Migrated Record: Horner, B..
SDV1856	Migrated Record: Turton, S. D. + Weddell, P. J..
SDV1858	Migrated Record:
SDV1859	Migrated Record:
SDV1860	Migrated Record:
SDV347318	Leaflet: Passmore, M. + Passmore, A.. 2011. Royal Air Force Air-Defence Radar Station Northam. A Brief Introduction to Twentieth Century Military and Civil Defence Archae. 39. A4 Folded.
SDV349018	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S.. 2011 - 2012. North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. ACD383/2/1. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital.
SDV349376	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2001. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital.
SDV349553	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1420. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper).
SDV349625	Aerial Photograph: Geonex UK. 1992. 113/99. GetMapping Aerial Photograph. DCC GEONEX/159/92 213-214 15-OCT-1992.
SDV358032	Correspondence: English Heritage. 2015. Northam Radar Station: receiver blocks, transmitter blocks, substation, receiver tower bases and Advance or Intermediate Chain Home structures , North of Appledore Road and Long's Lane, Northam, Bideford, Devon. Letter and Consultation Report. Digital.
SDV358979	Correspondence: Historic England. 12/08/2015. Northam Chain Home Radar Station, North of Appledore Road and Long's Lane, Northam, Bideford, Torridge, Devon. Notification of Designation Decision. Digital.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.