GM601

Limpert Bay Anti-invasion Defences  

15/01/2008  

Designated  

Vale of Glamorgan  

Llantwit Major  

300945  

166426  

Defence  

Anti Invasion Defence Site  

Post Medieval/Modern  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient 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. They are aligned east-west and extend for 1.8km overlooking the gently shelving beach at Limpert Bay to the south. The monument consists of six reinforced concrete pillboxes and three surviving sections of the single anti-tank cube alignment that linked some of them together. The two pillboxes at the west end are hexagonal in shape and constructed from reinforced concrete with red brick shuttering. The remaining pillboxes are irregular in design and plan, except for Item E, which is of standard FW3/22 design. Each anti-tank cube measures 1.54m in length and width, and 1.45m in height. They are spaced at 1.1m intervals and arranged corner to corner. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of World War II anti-invasion practices. It 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 importance of the monument is enhanced further by the group value of the individual items. The areas scheduled comprise the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.