Fairbourne Anti-invasion Defences

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument consists of anti-invasion defences, dating to the early period of World War II (AD 1940-41), that formed part of Western Command's coastal crust defences. The defences are aligned N-S to defend a flat area of salt marsh and the gently shelving beach. They are located on the top of Fairbourne beach immediately in front of the sea wall. The monument consists of at least 650 concrete anti-tank blocks arranged in a single and almost unbroken line c. 2.3km in length, punctuated at regular intervals by at least four Type 24 pillboxes.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of World War II anti-invasion practices. The monument is well preserved and is an important relic of actions taken against the perceived threat of a German invasion from Ireland. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of associated archaeological features and deposits.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is linear and measures 2.3km in length by 5m transversely. It follows, but does not include, the W edge of the seawall. The N end is at NGR SH 61065 14309 and the S end at SH 61100 12026. The scheduled area is interrupted for 15m S of SH 61046 13610 for utility services, 6m S of SH 61138 12640 for an access ramp and 4m S of SH 61142 12554 for a second access ramp.