NHER 38528 (Monument record) - World War Two coastal defences

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A large area of World War Two defences and military training features are situated along the cliffs around the Beach Road and the East Runton Gap and are visible on aerial photographs from 1940-6 (S1-8). The site is centred on TG 2003 4277. The gap itself is extremely heavily defended and barricaded, with several lines of scaffolding, barbed wire and anti-tank blocks by August 1940. The surrounding cliff tops are covered in slit trench systems, gun emplacements, pillboxes and military structures. These coastal defences sit within a much larger spread of World War Two defences and military sites, which provided coastal protection and training areas along the cliff tops between Sheringham and Cromer, such as NHER 24399, 38893 & 38900.
The slipway at East Runton Gap has been blocked by two lines of anti-tank cubes by August 1940 (S1-3). In front of this blockade a line of barbed wire has been erected which continues along the coast to the east to approximately TG 2053 4266, to where a pillbox is situated (NHER 24399). Also in 1940 a square pillbox, probably a type 20, is positioned at the western end of the slipway platform at TG 2004 4280, measuring 5m across. In 1941 a corresponding structure is visible to the east of the slipway at TG 2016 4275 (S4). The defences may have always formed a pair, as the eastern pillbox may have been camouflaged on the earlier aerial photograph. By 1941 two rows of beach scaffolding have been placed across the gap (S4-6). At TG 2007 4277 is a large structure, possibly a gun emplacement, set into the western side of the gap. This appears to have a flat frontage, 11.5m long, facing N.E. across the opening of the gap. This may have been a gun emplacement providing enfilading fire along a beach.
There are several slit trenches cut into the land either side of Beach Road. At TG 1994 4278 and TG 2004 4276 are two large areas of hard standing, both approximately 15m across and showing signs of having had structures or activity taken place within them. The two corresponding areas are joined by concrete path. The western of these two areas has an L-shaped structure within it. Other possible structures are visible surrounding the western feature, although it is not clear whether these are all military in origin. A quite substantial slit trench runs from the western side of Beach Road, behind the largest of these buildings and cuts across the path linking the two areas of hard standing and continues towards the cliffs to the west. At TG 1995 4281 it joins with a concentration of small rectangular structures and circular earthen gun emplacements on the cliff edge. This trench then joins a complex of military structures to the west at TG 1992 4282, many of these concrete components are dug in and surrounded by earthen revetments. It seems likely that this site had a significant subsurface element. The exact nature of this part of the defences is not known. At least two large rectangular concrete structures, 5m by 4m and 7m by 2.5m, are visible with steps or entrances leading into them.
At the western end of the site, near Wood Hill, is another cluster of defences, defined by barbed wire enclosures. A number of World War Two structures have been cut into existing post medieval boundary banks. At TG 1966 4288 is type 22 pillbox, which is partially camouflaged in 1941 with an earthen surround. A further structure is possibly present to the south of this, although it is too heavily camouflaged or covered to be discerned clearly. The only feature that can be identified is a small circular hole in the roof. This may be an additional pillbox or gun emplacement. A well-defined circular gun emplacement is visible at TG 1968 4286. A larger trapezoidal pillbox or similar structure is located to the east at TG 1972 4282. This is linked to a substantial slit trench, which joins runs to the cliffs and then links with the defences to the east.
At TG 2029 4269 is a sub-circular earthwork gun emplacement, measuring up to 7m by 5m. This is associated with a section of zigzag slit trench, which runs up towards the cliff edge (S6, S8). To the immediate west of this, centred on TG 2024 4268, is a group of small rectangular structures from 1940-6 (S1, S8). These are bounded by an L-shaped wall to the north. It is not certain whether these are military as they have no obvious recent tracks leading to any of them, which is characteristic of military sites. The structures may also possibly be associated with a nearby area of allotments and are still present in the post-war period (S8). An extent of area has been defined on the NMP map to show the extent of the structures in case further evidence indicates that they are military in the future.
At the eastern edge of the site, close to the defences recorded under NHER 38893. A further military structure is visible at TG 2033 4269, consisting a small, 1m long, rectangular structure, set within the edge of a weapons pit.
(S1-8)
H. Clare & S. Massey (NMP), 21 October 2004.

May-November 2004. Norfolk Rapid Coastal Zone Archaeological Survey.
Potentially related material noted during Inter-tidal survey (Environmental Zone 15) is recorded under NHER 41567.
See assessment report (S1) for further details.
P. Watkins (HES), 1 July 2015.