SDO12269 - Eroding Features, Burton Cliff, Burton Bradstock, Dorset. Archaeological Recording

‘Terrain Archaeology was commissioned by the National Trust to record two eroding features at Burton Cliffs, Burton Bradstock, prior to works to make them safe. To the west of Hive Beach (SY4896884) are the remains of a wall on the cliff edge, which is in danger of falling onto the beach. It lies to the south of Burton Cliff Hotel, between the old cliff road and the coast. This two-metre high mortared rubble stone wall had two major construction phases. It has not been closely dated, but may be 19th century and could have been built to control access along the cliff road, which was the main route to Hive Beach before the present beach road was constructed in the 1930s. Further to the west, on the cliff top south of Southover (SY48798892) are the partially exposed remains of a 44-inch diameter ring with 14 bolts and nuts visible. This is probably the holdfast for a 4-inch gun of WW2 vintage. There are records of a 4-inch gun at Southover, installed before 1941. No traces of other structures associated with this gun mounting are visible and may be buried, along with therest of the gun mounting.’