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Summary

An earthwork covered structure of Second World War date and military function is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards, on Northam Burrows. The exact function of the structure is uncertain but it may be related to possible dummy radar station structures to the south.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MILITARY BUILDING (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/LA/102, NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 FPO-0018 SS/4431/024 17-JAN-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349749.

An earthwork mound is visible, with two vertical white poles apparently associated.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/957, NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 3025-3026 30-OCT-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349054.

A square earthwork mound is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1953, NMR RAF/540/1141 (F21), NMR RAF/540/1141 40-41 (F21) 6-JUN-1953 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349622.

A narrow rectangular structure is visible.

Ordnance Survey, 1989, OS/89115, NMR OS/89/115 233-234 04-MAY-1989 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349086.

The rectangular structure remains visible, partly recovered by an earthwork mound.

Bluesky, 2006 - 2007, Bluesky aerial photographs 2006 - 2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV341189.

Map object based on this source.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4431 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

The rectangular structure remains visible, partly covered by an earthwork mound.

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

An earthwork covered structure of Second World War date and military function is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s onwards on Northam Burrows. The feature is visible on aerial photographs of 1945 as a rectilinear earthwork mound circa sixteen metres square. Military oblique photographs show two tall white posts or masts attached to the structure. The precise function of the structure is uncertain but it may be related to possible dummy radar station structures to the south. In 1945 a trackway runs past a short distance from the western entrance, but the structure does not appear to be heavily used. By 1953 the protective earthworks have been removed revealing the underlying structure, a curved roofed concrete structure orientated east to west, with A flat façade and probable entrance facing west. By 1989 this structure appears to have been partly recovered by a circular earthwork mound, perhaps as part of the development of Northam golf course, which remains visible. The structure might have been associated with a rectilinear structure some seventy metres to the south.

Passmore, A. J., 2013, Northam Burrows FEP Consultation Pro-forma (Report - non-specific). SDV356811.

The structure is formed from arched concrete covered with a mound of stone, soil and concrete fragments. It measures circa 20 metres by 15 metres. The west, front elevation is a shuttered concrete wall containing a central opening, curved in the shape of a small diameter Nissen hut. This was originally partially closed using concrete blocks leaving a central doorway flanked by window openings. These have been removed and infilled. Its function is unknown but it may have been associated with the anti-invasion coastal defences rather than the RAF radar station. It is generally in a good condition, although the front of the mound behind the retaining wall is eroding, perhaps due to grazing animals.

Knight, S., 2013-2015, Land Management Case Work, 30-SEP-2013 (Personal Comment). SDV351543.

The entrance to the building has been bricked up, and painted white to obscure graffiti. A gap at the top of the entrance has been left to enable bat accesss, although no bats have been recorded to date.

Ordnance Survey, 2014, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV355681.

Map object based on this source.

Passmore, A., 2014, Northam Burrows, Northam, Devon: Higher Level Stewardship Scheme Archaeological Survey, 6, 8-12; Figures 2, 7; Plate 15 (Report - Survey). SDV356810.

An earthwork-covered structure, with two attached posts or masts.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV341189	Aerial Photograph: Bluesky. 2006 - 2007. Bluesky aerial photographs 2006 - 2007. Bluesky. Photograph (Digital).
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
SDV349054	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/957. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/957 3025-3026 30-OCT-1945.
SDV349086	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1989. OS/89115. Ordnance Survey Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR OS/89/115 233-234 04-MAY-1989.
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4431 04-MAY-2007.
SDV349622	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1953. NMR RAF/540/1141 (F21). Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/1141 40-41 (F21) 6-JUN-1953.
SDV349749	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/LA/102. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/LA/102 FPO-0018 SS/4431/024 17-JAN-1945.
SDV351543	Personal Comment: Knight, S.. 2013-2015. Land Management Case Work. 30-SEP-2013.
SDV355681	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2014. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey Digital Mapping. Digital.
SDV356810	Report - Survey: Passmore, A.. 2014. Northam Burrows, Northam, Devon: Higher Level Stewardship Scheme Archaeological Survey. AC Archaeology. CD760/2/3. A4 Bound + Digital. 6, 8-12; Figures 2, 7; Plate 15.
SDV356811	Report - non-specific: Passmore, A. J.. 2013. Northam Burrows FEP Consultation Pro-forma. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project
• EDV6518 - Archaeological Survey of Northam Burrows (Ref: ACD760)

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