This was a nostalgia trip for me and a loner as photonut is in Norway scouting potential sites. I first visited this section as a kid in 1976 and this is the first time I've been back. You would not stumble across it.
A bit of history and info.
This Stop Line ran from the north coast of Somerset down to Seaton, Devon and the installations were built by private contractors and Army personnel.
Following is a direct quote from my favorite website on the subject. I hope the author doesn't mind but I couldn't have described it better.
"The Line, of over 300 pillboxes plus machine gun emplacements, anti-tank gun emplacements, anti-tank ditches, infantry trenches and many other defences, ran down from the Pawlett Hams in the north of Somerset, along the River Parrett and then, following the east bank of the Bridgwater and Taunton canal southward, to Creech St. Michael where it joined and followed the dried-up bed of the old Taunton & Chard Canal. South-west of Ilton the Line traced the route of the Great Western Railway southward. North of Chard Junction the Line left the G.W.R. and followed the route shared by the Southern Railway and the River Axe, briefly crossing over into Dorset in a couple of places, finally following the Axe into the seaside town of Seaton, Devon, where the Stop Line ended."
After parking my car in a lay by, I made the 2 mile trek neccesary to avoid trespass to the southern end of the section near Forton bridge (demolished long since). Along the way, I decided to check out the type 24 on The Drift. An old drovers lane running between windwhistle hill and Forton hill. This is what I found;
And inside;
Beautiful condition, zero graffiti! and totally overgrown.
Next up, the old railway itself. Will follow up with more later but for now as a taster of what's here;
A rail block
and it's partner
surrounded by about 30 anti-tank cubes
and a gaggle of Tetrahedra
Also, a concrete platform 25 feet long;
with lots of these
More will follow, but in the meantime, here's me looking towards an elevated 24 in a farmers field which once I get permission I will photograph for your pleasure.
Covered 8 miles on foot and I'm knackered!
A bit of history and info.
This Stop Line ran from the north coast of Somerset down to Seaton, Devon and the installations were built by private contractors and Army personnel.
Following is a direct quote from my favorite website on the subject. I hope the author doesn't mind but I couldn't have described it better.
"The Line, of over 300 pillboxes plus machine gun emplacements, anti-tank gun emplacements, anti-tank ditches, infantry trenches and many other defences, ran down from the Pawlett Hams in the north of Somerset, along the River Parrett and then, following the east bank of the Bridgwater and Taunton canal southward, to Creech St. Michael where it joined and followed the dried-up bed of the old Taunton & Chard Canal. South-west of Ilton the Line traced the route of the Great Western Railway southward. North of Chard Junction the Line left the G.W.R. and followed the route shared by the Southern Railway and the River Axe, briefly crossing over into Dorset in a couple of places, finally following the Axe into the seaside town of Seaton, Devon, where the Stop Line ended."
After parking my car in a lay by, I made the 2 mile trek neccesary to avoid trespass to the southern end of the section near Forton bridge (demolished long since). Along the way, I decided to check out the type 24 on The Drift. An old drovers lane running between windwhistle hill and Forton hill. This is what I found;
And inside;
Beautiful condition, zero graffiti! and totally overgrown.
Next up, the old railway itself. Will follow up with more later but for now as a taster of what's here;
A rail block
and it's partner
surrounded by about 30 anti-tank cubes
and a gaggle of Tetrahedra
Also, a concrete platform 25 feet long;
with lots of these
More will follow, but in the meantime, here's me looking towards an elevated 24 in a farmers field which once I get permission I will photograph for your pleasure.
Covered 8 miles on foot and I'm knackered!
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