Pillboxes on the Gwent Levels

History researchers investigated a list of known pillboxes within the Living Levels Landscape Partnership area to ascertain their current status. History RAT Calum Sweeney reports.

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Pillboxes became a new landscape feature across the United Kingdom when fears of a German invasion were running high following the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk in 1940.

They are generally small concrete bunkers with loopholes cut into them to allow their occupants to fire out upon an enemy. Pillboxes were constructed in a variety of designs and types, with little standardisation across the UK. Many were erected as coastal observation posts, primarily on the English south coast. However, because there were also fears that German ships could sail up the Severn Estuary, pillboxes were built along both the English and Welsh sides, including on the Gwent Levels. Other pillboxes were constructed in lines running across the country, so called 'stop lines' that would in theory prevent a German advance.

Not all pillboxes built during the Second World War survive. In fact, the majority of them across the UK have been removed. A general lack of protection listing means that some pillboxes only survive due to their unappealing location for building development. Furthermore, pillboxes are seldom maintained, making them often difficult to access and dangerous to enter.

Today, no pillbox on the Gwent Levels is classed as a scheduled monument, although the Second World War anti-tank defences in Goldcliff, part of the same defensive line as the pillboxes, are scheduled. Many have not been officially reported on since the mid-1990s.

Surviving Pillboxes on the Gwent Levels

Pillbox at Sudbrook 

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Pillbox at Sudbrook (Calum Sweeney, 2019)

In Sudbrook (near Portskewett), a brick and reinforced concrete pillbox overlooks the Severn Estuary. Its design is similar to a cantilevered pillbox. It has no central support pillar but appears as if it once had steel girders separating the top and bottom pieces of the building. These are no longer in place, meaning the pillbox roof rests on the walls, leaving no way to see in or out except via the door. The pillbox has become overgrown since the 1990s and is inaccessible from behind.

Its survival can be attributed to its location: it was built on top of the earthworks from an Iron Age fort, a scheduled ancient monument.

Pillbox at Chapel Farm, Undy

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Pillbox at Chapel Farm (Calum Sweeney, 2019)

The pillbox or coastal observation post just outside the sea wall near Chapel Farm, Undy, is another cantilever type and has a central gun platform. It is very reminiscent of the pillbox in Sudbrook, although this one is better preserved with its iron girders still in place allowing occupants to look outside. The pillbox is in fair condition. A few of the bricks around the entrance are crumbling, and there is some graffiti on the pillbox.

Pillboxes at Llandevenny 

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Pillbox at Manor Farm, Llandevenny (Tony Pickup, 2020)

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Pillbox at Sycamore Farm, Llandevenny (T. Pickup, 2021)

Although the Defence of Britain database (held by the Archaeology Data Service) has an entry for only one pillbox in Llandevenny, there are in fact two. These are of the hexagonal type, with projecting lintels, and are located either side of Bareland Street, one near Manor Farm and one near Sycamore Farm. Both are heavily overgrown with ivy and other vegetation.

Lost Pillboxes of the Gwent Levels and Chepstow

One inland pillbox, present c.1990 at Barecroft Common (near Magor), could no longer be located in 2020. 

A pillbox in Welsh Street, Chepstow, was removed c.1946. Another pillbox was reported c.1998 in the corner of a builder's yard in Chepstow to the south of the bridge. This has since been removed and its materials are said to have been reused for river defences.

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Pillbox at Chapel Farm (Chris Harris, 2018)