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All the United Kingdom England Burnham-on-Crouch Burnham Minefield Control Tower

Burnham Minefield Control Tower

This observation tower is one of two of its kind that still exist in the United Kingdom.

Burnham-on-Crouch, England

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Will
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An aerial view of the control tower   willfaulkner / Atlas Obscura User
An aerial view of the control tower   willfaulkner / Atlas Obscura User
The minefield control tower   Julieanne Savage / Dengie Minefield Control Tower
Burnham on Crouch sea wall and estuary   River Crouch sea wall path by Trevor Harris, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
A pillbox at the estuary shoreline   Stthomse, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Another pillbox at the estuary shoreline with the seawall in the background   Dengie Pillbox by terry joyce, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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About

During World War II, as the Nazis seized power over Europe, it dawned on the British War Office that an invasion was looking increasingly likely, and the coastline of the United Kingdom was nowhere near ready to defend against it, particularly around the River Crouch Estuary.

The War Office set out to arm the undefended area with the quick construction of pillboxes as well as laying mines and booms in the estuary. But that seemingly wasn't enough; In 1941, the minefield was expanded and a control tower was constructed to overlook the entire estuary.

This two-story tower was built with maximum defense in mind. Its concrete walls are two feet thick and there are 17 gun slots built into the wall. The main window on the top floor had a shutter built in with the ability to quickly shut in the event of coming under fire.

Once the war was finished, the minefield was cleared and operations at the control tower were shut down. After that, the building was left to the greatest nature of all: time. However, the building has withstood time and still stands in good structural condition to this day.

The building has been stripped down to its concrete structure and the top floor is now only useful for birds to nest and poop everywhere. But its historical importance and the role it played in defending the estuary is there for all to explore.

One thing that makes this building so unique is the fact it is only one of two in existence, its structural twin is located about 400 miles away in Oban, Scotland. While many WWII-era buildings will continue to survive for many years to come and many now stand as museums, not many, particularly of such rarity, stand frozen in time like the tower at Burnham on Crouch.

Related Tags

Towers War History World War Ii

Know Before You Go

Although there is no vehicular access, there is a public footpath. You have to walk around the edge of a field in order to access the building. Note the occasional pillbox you will see throughout the area. Also bear in mind that across the channel, the MOD have a testing facility on Foulness Island. While that won't affect your visit to the Control Tower, drone users should bear in mind that restricted airspace is in effect over the water.

Community Contributors

Added By

willfaulkner

Edited By

Martin

  • Martin

Published

January 4, 2024

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Sources
  • https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/burnham-on-crouch-mine-field-control-tower-essex-may-2018.117698/
  • https://beyondthepoint.co.uk/burnham-minefield-control-tower/
  • https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1020997
  • https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1020997
Burnham Minefield Control Tower
Burnham-on-Crouch, England, CM0
United Kingdom
51.625063, 0.912063
Visit Website

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Explore the Destination Guide

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England

United Kingdom

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The Broomway

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Photo of England

England

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