Building record 1294/1/13 - FC 'Mushroom' Pillbox

A World War Two pillbox at Kingscliffe/ King's Cliffe airfield. It is situated in the south-west corner of the former airfield to the north of Jacks Green Farm. It is mushroom shaped cantilevered pillbox, with a brick and concrete stairwell. When it was visited in 1997 it was said to be in good condition though the internal gun rail was missing. It may have been built in 1941, its function may have been to cover the area towards the railway.

{1} Regular F.C. construction 'mushroom' pillbox, with brick and concrete stairwell. Awkward to enter due to bushes. Internal gun rail missing. Constructed c.post 1941. Condition: good.
Marked as 94 on airfield record site plan IWA/793/51 building drawing no. TG/14.
Paired with pillbox at TL0178 9705 (HER ref. 1294/1/14).

{2} This type of pillbox is illustrated on p.20.

{3} The Defence of Britain Database notes a World War Two pillbox at "King's Cliffe" airfield, Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, TL 0262 9705. It is situated in the south-west corner of the former airfield to the north of Jacks Green Farm. It is mushroom shaped cantilevered pillbox, with a brick and concrete stairwell. When it was visited in 1997 it was said to be in good condition though the internal gun rail was missing. The Defence of Briotain record suggusts that it was built in 1940-1941. Its function may have been to cover the area towards the railway.

<1> Ruddy A.J., 1997, Defence of Britain Project Site Report Form, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN108884.

<2> WILLS H., 1985, Pillboxes, A Study of U.K. Defences in 1940, (unchecked) (Extract). SNN3321.

<3> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<4> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 7:17PM