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 Second World War Chain Home Radar Station receiver mast is visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s at RAF Northam Radar Station. The concrete bases of the timber tower remain clearly visible on aerial photographs of the 1960s onwards.

Location

Protected Status

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

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• RADAR MAST (World War II - 1941 AD to 1944 AD)

Full description

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, 1941, RAF S/171, NMR RAF/S171 15-16 1-JUN-1941 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349634.

Timber radar station receiver masts are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1420, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1420 4232-3 15-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349553.

Timber radar station receiver masts are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946 - 1949, Royal Air Force Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph). SDV342938.

Mast with concrete plinths visible.

Royal Air Force, 1958, RAF 58/2553, NMR RAF/58/2553 PSFO-P2-0043 SS 4429/1 29-AUG-1958 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349117.

Concrete bases of the timber tower remain clearly visible.

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

Four concrete plinths visible, forming a square, with a further structure at the centre. Map object based on this Source.

Next Perspectives, 2007, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:, Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4429 04-MAY-2007 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349344.

Concrete bases of the timber tower remain clearly visible.

Ordnance Survey, 2011, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV346129.

Map object based on this Source.

Passmore, M. + Passmore, A., 2011, Royal Air Force Air-Defence Radar Station Northam, 4 (Leaflet). SDV347318.

The former RAF Chain Home station has the best preserved radar remains in Devon. The photograph shows one of four concrete plinths on which one of two timber receiver towers sat. Other details: Photograph.

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

A Second World War Chain Home Radar Station receiver mast is visible on aerial photographs of 1941 to 1946 at RAF Northam Radar Station. On aerial photographs of 1958 onwards four concrete plinths remain clearly visible, one at each corner of the timber tower, with a fifth structure at the centre of the tower base.

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

SDV341189	Aerial Photograph: Bluesky. 2006 - 2007. Bluesky aerial photographs 2006 - 2007. Bluesky. Photograph (Digital).
SDV342938	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946 - 1949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photographs. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Digital).
SDV346129	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2011. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey. Map (Digital).
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. 4.
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
SDV349117	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1958. RAF 58/2553. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/58/2553 PSFO-P2-0043 SS 4429/1 29-AUG-1958.
SDV349344	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2007. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref:. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Tile Ref: SS4429 04-MAY-2007.
SDV349553	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1420. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1420 4232-3 15-APR-1946.
SDV349634	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1941. RAF S/171. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/S171 15-16 1-JUN-1941.
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.