Radar Station, Old Castle Head

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a WWII radar station of the Coast Defence/Chain Home Low type, designed to guard against both enemy aircraft (particularly low-flying and high-flying aircraft) and to plot shipping in the Bristol Channel.

The site consists of three rectangular concrete buildings with flat roofs set on the steep SW-facing slopes overlooking the Bristol Channel. The largest building of the three (that situated to the SE) was the transmitter/receiver block; the metal plates that supported the gantry bearing the aerial array are still visible upon the roof. The Stand-by Set House contained the generator and is situated immediately to the NW. An auxiliary Stand-by Set House is situated further to the NW, intended as back-up in case of breakdown or enemy attack. The station was probably constructed around 1942 and would have been originally manned by the army, prior to the take-over of the system by the RAF.

The monument is a rare surviving example of a group of Second World War radar station buildings. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance and illustrate our knowledge of WWII anti-aircraft defences and the development and use of radar. The well preserved monument forms an important element within the wider regional context - the defence of the Bristol Channel ports - and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to building techniques and functional detail.

The area scheduled comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. Area A is centred upon Items A and B (the transmitter/receiver block and Stand-by Set House) and measures 33m from NW to SE by 14m transversely. Area B is centred upon Item C (the Auxiliary Stand-by Set House) and measures 11m from NW to SE by 10m transversely.