Monument record MDO25732 - World War Two pillbox, Langton Hive Point, Langton Herring

A Second World War type 26 pillbox is visible as an extant structure on aerial photographs to the east of Langton Hive Point. The pillbox is located on a footpath off the Coastguard Road between Higher Farm and Bridge Lane House. It is square on plan, constructed of reinforced concrete and brick, and was built between 1940-41. The pillbox is unusual in that its entrance is concealed on the seaward side by a 4 feet high Portland stone wall. The entrance is under the wall via a pit. Inside it is approximately 6 feet square and has three embrasures, facing north, east and south. A field visit in 1995 found the structure to be in a good condition.

Square type 26 pillbox. A well-concealed pillbox, facing inland. [Located by Lt. Graham Matthews R.N., a helicopter pilot, during a routine flight along the Fleet]. Recorded also by Lt. Matthews:- A concrete and brick constructed pillbox, unusual in that its entrance is concealed on the seaward side by a 4ft high Portland stone wall. The entrance, in fact, is under the wall itself; one has to descend into a pit and then go under the wall itself directly into the pillbox. Inside, it is approximately 6ft square 3 embrasures, facing N, E, and S. [Chesil Beach is due W at this position, and one would expect the pillbox to be facing the direction of the threat rather than inland]. The pillbox is 2 metres from a gate through the stone wall, Langton Herring village, on footpath off the Coastguard Road between Higher Farm and Bridge Lane House. <1-3> The probable site of a World War II type 26 pillbox is visible as an extant structure on aerial photographs taken in 1942 to the east of Langton Hive Point <4>. The feature is visible as an extant structure, square in plan and approximately 5m across, it was digitally plotted during the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping Project.

Record last edited

Aug 16 2023 1:54PM