Monument record MDO17979 - World War Two Observation Post, Tulks Hill, Puncknowle

A World War II observation post situated on Tulks Hill overlooking Chesil Beach. It is constructed of brick and concrete and was built in 1940-41. The structure is unusual in that it is dug into the hillside. A field visit in 1995 found the structure to be in a good condition, although the rendering was deteriorating. The structure is visible on aerial photographs and was digitally plotted for the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping project.

A World War 2 observation post high on the hill above Chesil Beach. It is obviously part of the Chesil Beach Stop-line. It consists of brick construction with a conglomerate concrete mix roof. The structure is unusual in that at its front elevation it is 2'6" high but at its rear it is built into the hillside. Entrance is via a rear staircase made of brick which leads to a coal storage area. Turn right at the bottom of the steps and you are into the main O.P. The OP has a small fire place at the rear with 3 3'6"x1'6" observation windows at the front. One window frame (wood) is intact but unfortunatly the other two frames have been vandalised during the summer holiday season. Inside the floor consists of concrete and much of the original whitewash remains on the brick walls. <2>

The structure is visible on aerial photographs <4> and was digitally plotted for the South Dorset Ridgeway Mapping project.

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0000106 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0000106 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0000106 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> 06-APR-2002, PGA SY5486 (Aerial Photograph). SDO12169.

<5> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1416321 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 25 2023 10:05AM