MMO609 - World War Two weapons pit west of Hill Road (Monument)

Summary

A possible Second World War weapons pit, visible as an earthwork, was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946. The subcircular earthwork pit was sited opposite the access road to the wartime tank marshalling area and tank park.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

A possible gun position near Moor Wood, at SS 95703 47419, was recorded as part of the RCHME survey of the ENPA holding on North Hill. Full details in survey report. [1] SS 9531 4741 A Second World War weapons pit, visible as an earthwork, was mapped from aerial photographs taken in 1946. Located W of Hill Road on Minehead's North Hill, the subcircular earthwork pit was sited opposite the access road to the wartime tank marshalling area and tank park at the west end of Moor Wood. The subcircular weapons pit is sited within a larger, subcircular, cleared terrace 33 metres by 35 metres, which has been cut into the SW facing hillside overlooking Wood Combe. The spoil from this terracing may be part of the earthwork mound visible 65 metres west-south-west (MMO608). The irregularly shaped weapon pit is about 5 metres by 7 metres and is surrounded by a horseshoe shaped earthwork bank about 3.5 metres wide, presumably constructed from the spoil from the pit. The overgrown feature was still visible in 2001. [2-4]

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Report: Riley, H. and Wilson-North, R.. 1997. The field archaeology of North Hill: An archaeological survey of the Exmoor National Park holding.
  • <2> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1655 3007-3008 (11 July 1946).
  • <3> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. RAF 106G/UK/1655 4004-4005 (11 July 1946).
  • <4> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Oblique Aerial Photograph. NMR SS 9547/9 (21106/05) (9 February 2001).
  • <5> Archive: Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NE. MD000134.

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12467
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO7623
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NE59
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1101271
  • Somerset SMR PRN: 35668

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9531 4741 (42m by 39m) (Aerial Survey)
Map sheet SS94NE
Civil Parish MINEHEAD WITHOUT, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (3)

Record last edited

Aug 17 2020 12:21PM

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