Second World War pillbox, near Adam Bridge, Audley End estate (EHER 10227)

A Second World War thick-walled shell-proof infantry pillbox located to overlook the contemporary road block at Adam's Bridge. The pillbox is square in plan, with a blast wall covering the entrance on its north-western side. Its shape and size suggest it could be a Vickers Machine Gun emplacement. The pillbox was in good condition when visited in July 2002 by the Defence of Britain project, who list it as an "Eastern Command" type. It is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941 and formed part of the Audley End Defence Area (Number 70) and the GHQ Line (Essex).

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: On the west side of the River Cam, overlooking the lawns of Audley End House, is a rectangular concrete pillbox with short blast wall on its north-west side. Unusually, there is no loophole in its south-west wall. One photo of site. <1> <2> Thick walled rectangular infantry pillbox. Externally, square in plan each side between 10-12ft in length. Walls approx. 3 ft thick. Three of the four walls contain an embrasure, the fourth the entrance. Entrance is not central in the wall but is set to one side. The entrance is covered by a blast wall of considerable thickness, in which is set an embrasure. No internal inspection could take place due to the estate manager refusing permission. Vickers machine gun emplacement. Audley End Estate. Eastern Command type rectangular pillbox with loopholed detached blast wall. No embrasure in south facing wall. Faces east. Access exterior and interior possible by paid entry to Audley Park grounds. <3> The Second World War thick-walled shell-proof pillbox is visible on aerial photographs. It is centred at TL 5216 3807 and is square in plan, with a blast wall covering the entrance on its north-western side. Its shape and size suggest it is probably a Vickers Machine Gun emplacement. The pillbox was located to overlook the contemporary road block at Adam's Bridge. It is one of a number of similar defensive features constructed along the River Cam in 1940-1941 and formed part of the Audley End Defence Area (Number 70) and the GHQ Line (Essex). <4> <5>