Monument record MDO44846 - Possible Napoleonic shutter telegraph station, Telegraph Clump, Tarrant Hinton, Tarrant Launceston

A rectangular gridded structure set into a Neolithic long barrow (MDO4954) in Telegraph Clump, Tarrant Hinton, is visible on aerial photographs dated 1928 and 1947. The feature may be associated with, or form part of, a shutter telegraph station built in 1806 in Telegraph Plantation (NRHE Hob UID 209424). An existing record for the telegraph station (MDO5098) suggests the telegraph station was built to the south of Telegraph Clump. The feature was digitally plotted during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM project.

A station on the Admiralty Shutter Telegraph system to Plymouth, constructed 1806, was formerly situated at Telegraph Plantation near Blandford Racecourse. Adjoining stations were Chalbury to the east and Belchalwell to the west. The system ceased operation in September 1814. <1>

A rectangular gridded structure set into a Neolithic long barrow (MDO4954) in Telegraph Clump, Tarrant Hinton, is visible on aerial photographs dated 1928 and 1947 <2,3>. The feature comprises a rectangular grid of blocks or bricks, possibly the base of a removed structure. It may be associated with, or form part of, a shutter telegraph station built in 1806 in Telegraph Plantation (NRHE Hob UID 209424), or alternatively, possibly part of the First World War camp at Blandford Camp. An existing record for the telegraph station (MDO5098) suggests the telegraph station was built to the south of Telegraph Clump. Current APGB imagery shows that there are still some structural remains on the site, date and function unknown <4>. Ditched sections around the western end of a possible extension to the long barrow and a section of bank on the south side are also visible on aerial photographs and lidar imagery <2, 3>. These may also be later additions as part of the military activity in this area, but this is not certain.

The features were digitally plotted during the Dorset Middle Stour AIM project.

<1> Wilson, G, 1976, The Old Telegraphs, 25, 31 and map (Monograph). SWX8165.

<2> Crawford, O G S, 17-JUL-1928, CCC 8837/420 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18887.

<3> Royal Air Force, 11-APR-1947, RAF/CPE/UK/1975 RS 4008 (Aerial Photograph). SDO18888.

<4> Pan Government Agreement, 2001, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery (Aerial Photograph). SDO18519.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 209424 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Nov 21 2023 11:46AM