Monument record MDO42826 - Second World War pillbox, Maiden Newton

An octagonal Type 22 Second World War pillbox is visible as an extant structure on 1940s aerial photographs alongside the railway line at Maiden Newton, Maiden Newton, situated 50 yards along the track from the sewage works. It was constructed in 1940-41 and has five main embrasures and a pistol port by the entrance. Construction is of concrete and brick with an internal anti-ricochet wall. A field visit in 1997 found the pillbox to be in a good condition. It was digitally plotted during the Dorset Upper Frome AIM project.

A type 22 pillbox, very overgrown and with approx. 4ft of water inside. 5 main embrasures and pistol port by entrance. Constructed of concrete and brick with internal anti-ricochet wall. Protected entrance with exposed brick end elevations. [very difficult to survey owing to the vegetation].50 yards along the track from the sewage works, Maiden Newton. <1-3>

An octagonal Type 22 Second World War pillbox is visible as an extant structure on 1940s aerial photographs <4> alongside the railway line at Maiden Newton, Maiden Newton, and was digitally plotted during the Dorset Upper Frome AIM project. The pillbox was described as in good condition in 1997 (NHRE Hob UID 1416284) and is visible on 2010 Google Earth imagery <5>.

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0000066 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0000066 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

1. A type 22 pillbox located approximately 50 yards up the track from the sewage works.
2. Very overgrown making entrance difficult and with the added hazard of approximately 4 inches of water inside.
3. 5 main loopholes with pistol port covering the entrance.
4. Constructed of concrete and brick with internal anti-ricochet wall.
5. Protected entrance with exposed brick end elevations.
6. A very difficult example to survey due to the vegetation.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0000066 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> Royal Air Force, 22-JAN-48, RAF/CPE/UK/2431 RS 4275-6 (Aerial Photograph). SDO16843.

<5> Google Earth, XX-XXX-2010, Google Earth 2010 (Aerial Photograph). SDO16568.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1416284 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Aug 12 2023 7:54AM