Monument record MWX1463 - Second World War gun emplacement or range observation bunker, Ferry Road, Studland

A possible World War II gun emplacement or range observation bunker situated on Studland Heath. It was probably constructed in 1940-41 and is of concrete and brick. It has three rooms; the largest measures 3.3 metres, east to west, by 3 metres, north to south. No gun mounting was noted although it may lie buried. In the northwest corner of this room a flight of five steps leads west down a corridor which turns at right angles north into a room measuring 2.4 metres, east to west, by 1.8 metres. Another room branches from the southwest corner of the large room. Four steps lead down to it and it measures 4 metres by 1.5 metres. These back rooms were probably used as ammunition stores. From 1942 Studland Heath was used as a military training area, therefore, it is thought that this structure is more likely to be range observation bunker, than to have an anti-invasion role. A field visit in 1995 found the structure had been partially demolished.

A concrete and brick structure, probably a gun emplacement, but it may also have been used as an observation and command post. It has three rooms. The largest measures 3.3m, E to W, x 3m, N to S, and has a view over Studland Beach and Old Harry Rocks. No gun mounting was noted although it may lie buried. At the NW corner of this room a flight of 5 steps leads W down a corridor 5.1m long which turns at right angles N into a room measuring 2.4m, E to W, x 1.8m. Another room branches from the SW corner of the large room. Four steps lead down to it and it measures 4m x 1.5m. The back rooms were probably used as ammunition stores. The site lies on the E side of a spur of land above the ferry road. 30m to the S is an overgrown trackway hollow which curves through 90 degrees from S towards the E and joins the ferry road at a right angle. 20m further S is a military trench dug as a crescent curving towards the E and measuring 15m long, 2m wide and 0.7m deep.

These features are overgrown with gorse. The side of the emplacement has been demolished. The W part of the building is in good condition and is covered with a mound of soil. A sizeable gun emplacement/observation/command post, with view over Studland Beach to Old Harry Rocks. Front chamber all concrete apart from front parapet (2ft high). Height of front chamber, 7ft. All other chambers are brick, apart from concrete floor and roof. Height of other chambers, 6ft 6ins. Whole area covered in gorse and thus hard to find. Some vandalism.

[with plan drawn on form showing other measurements]. On the top of a knoll, Studland Heath, Corfe Castle Estate, Studland. <1>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0007707 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0007707 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<3> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1422088 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Jul 15 2024 11:10AM