Monument record 8136/1/2 - Seagull Trenches (x2), RAF Croughton

WWII V-shaped seagull trenches

{1} Two Seagull Trenches noted as being v-shaped. Quoted NGR of SP583332 is the same for all three and places them in Evenly parish. All three presumed located within airfield.

{3} The ditches observed in Trench 32 were contemporary anti-glider ditches (also known as Seagull Trenches), The seagull trenches on Site may have also been used as part of glider training provided to pilots at RAF Croughton. In 1942 Training Command was seeking a suitable airfield to re-house its No.1 Glider Training School, as its current home was a small airfield and had become inadequate for glider training. Several airfields in the near vicinity made the short list, but RAF Croughton became the new home for the gliders.

{5} The investigation confirmed that the defensive structures survive as discernible earthworks. While the built fabric of the structures has been removed, their footprints remain visible within the landscape. The ‘western’ trench appears as a slight depression with visible northern and southern sides. The ‘eastern’ trench survives as a linear earthwork and depression situated on a slight rise. Observational evidence suggests the presence of a possible communication trench linking this eastern feature with the former pillbox area. Topographic survey indicates the earthworks measure approximately between 16m and 22m in length with a surviving depth of approximately between 0.10m and 0.23m.

<1> Dr M Osbourne, 1997, List of Northamptonshire Pillboxes, (unchecked) (Note). SNN101917.

<2> MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, Croughton Airfield site plan, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN106648.

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

<3> Stephanie Blues, 2026, RAF Croughton Main Gate, Brackley, Northamptonshire: Archaeological Evaluation (Report). SNN117118.

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

<5> David Williams and Stephanie Blues, 2026, Archaeological Services WYAS Report No. 4433 RAF Croughton Main Gate, Brackley (Report). SNN117122.

Record last edited

Jun 29 2026 11:19AM