Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Box Hill Fort
Hob Uid: 397451
Location : Surrey Mole Valley Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ1773051410
Summary : Mobilisation centre constructed in the 1890s as part of the London Defence Scheme. It was one of thirteen forts constructed to the south and east of London to protect against invasion. The scheme was abandoned in 1906. The fort is situated on a chalk ridge of the Surrey Downs around 2 kilometres northeast of Dorking. The north west to south east aligned compound survives as a northeast facing, reinforced concrete and brick structure housing magazines and stores. The flat roofed structure has been the subject of some modern repairs and consolidation. To the rear is a large, crescent-shaped earthen blast bank flanked by an outer ditch. Associated with the main compound are the original caretaker's lodge and a tool store situated around 110 m to the southeast. These have been altered and extended and are in use as a visitor centre and offices, and are therefore not included in the scheduling.
More information : [TQ 1773 5141] Fort (Dismantled) [T.I.] Box Hill Mobilization Centre, built c1890. In 1880 a scheme for the Defence of London was drawn up. A defence line was mapped out running from Guildford along the North Downs to Fort Halstead then up the west side of the Darenth Valley to Dartford and north of the Thames from Vange by Brentwood to North Weald. It was proposed to build a number of storehouses which would form "points d'appui" (mobilization centres) for a series of entrenched positions to be constructed, if the need arose, all along the line. In 1889 the acquisition of the sites for these "Forts" was approved. In 1906 the scheme was abandoned and the sale of land commenced in 1907. (1-4) Fort, dismantled, and disused; property of the National Trust. Published 1/2500 survey correct. (5) Additional reference. (6)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : OS 6" Prov. Ed. 1961
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details : Handbook for the London Defence Positions 1903, Map 1/4": 1 mile (War Office)
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details : King DW. Undated. Note on the Surrey Defence Works of the Nineties
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details : Notes on the History of the Old Fort (Halstead) and the London Defence Positions 1957 ADRE, Fort Halstead [All in the W.O. Library]
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details : F1 ASP 26-NOV-65
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 51-2
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 7
Source :
Source details : 16-Nov-98
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Constructed in 1890s
Monument End Date : 1899
Monument Start Date : 1890
Monument Type : Mobilization Centre, Magazine, Ordnance Store, Lodge, Blast Wall
Evidence : Earthwork, Documentary Evidence, Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Late 20th Century
Display Date : Now
Monument End Date : 1998
Monument Start Date :
Monument Type : Office, Information Centre
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (National No.)
External Cross Reference Number : 31393
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : Scheduled Monument Legacy (County No.)
External Cross Reference Number : SU 157
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 15 SE 29
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : FIELD OBSERVATION (VISUAL ASSESSMENT)
Start Date : 1965-11-26
End Date : 1965-11-26

Historic England Research Records

Box Hill Fort