Type

Building

Title / Name

WWII Pillbox at Clack Mount

Summary

Two circular mounds are situated on the island; the smaller one is a Second World War pillbox, which is covered with earth and thick vegetation. The second mound is located slightly to the north of the centre of the island. At the top is a circular depression, with a small cut, possibly former steps, on the western side.

PILLBOX, Second World War (1939 to 1945)

Source Detail: RCHME,

Title: Field Survey

Summary: No summary information. Source ID: SWI26255

Description: Clack Mount was surveyed at a scale of 1:1000 by RCHME in September 1997 and February 1998 as part of an overall survey of Bradenstoke Priory. Clack Mount is a polygonal island surrounded by a ditch, and lies c. 250 meters northeast of Bradenstoke Priory. The island covers an area of c. 56 ha and stands c. 1.5 meters high. The southern side is 80 meters long and has a slight terrace for half its length; there is a similar terrace on the northeastern side. Two circular mounds are situated on the island; the smaller one is a Second World War pillbox, which is covered with earth and thick vegetation; it measures c. 8 meters diameter at the base and is c. 1.5 meters high. The second mound is located slightly to the north of the centre of the island and measures 19 meters diameter at the base and is 1.5 meters high. At the top is a circular depression, with a small cut, possibly former steps, on the western side. Surrounding the island is a ditch; the southern side measures c. 12 meters wide, whilst the other sides are appreciably narrower, particularly in the northwest. The northeastern side is remarkably straight and has the appearance of having been re-dug in recent years. It continues in a southerly direction almost as far as the road and in a northerly direction down the escarpment. Significantly, at the junction of the north and west ditches is a small causeway, possibly a sluice for controlling the flow of water. Along the western side of the ditch is a bank, probably formed by the upcast of the ditch. Clack Mount, in its present form, is clearly a garden feature. Morphologically it appears as a moated site, with a probable fish pond on the southern side. Whether there were any structures on the island is uncertain; however, it now appears to be a prospect, probably dating to the 18th or 19th century, and would have provided an ideal resting place during a perambulation.