When Beyond the Point was first established in 2011, we started investigating some strange patterns on Upper Horse Island, situated to the west of Canvey Island. They appear to be the same colour to the marsh surrounding, but are clearly shaped by humans, it being square, with circles and lines inside. This lead us to…
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Paglesham is a vast expanse of mostly rural land surrounded by earthen seawalls of the common pre-North Sea Flood style witnessed across the Essex coastline. These protect it from the River Crouch and Roach. As well as requiring protection from the water, in 1940 it needed protection from what might exploit these waterways. Operation Sealion…
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Stambridge was once home to a tide mill on the waterfront dating back many centuries. The original building burnt down in April 1965 although the site continued operation as a mill until 2014. Another fire saw the finale of the site’s operation, although several partially-demolished modern buildings survive.
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Photos from Dave Bullock. Above ground photo by Nick Catford. Nick Catford from the amazing site Subterranea Britannica visited the site in 1997, 1998, and 2000. He records: When first inspected in 1997 the post was in reasonable external condition with all surface features intact but with some land erosion around the access shaft. The…
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It’s been apart of the Kent skyline for almost 40 years although in mid-2016 the time was up for this iconic structure when it demolished in a matter of seconds. Thousands of people watched as the demolition was streamed online, live from the BBC helicopter. At 11am on September 7th, experts detonated the 801ft chimney,…
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The Isle of Grain is scattered with historic remains and it’s prime location means that it would be essential for protecting the capital from invasion. During the Second World War, anti-tank obstacles were constructed to prevent any German vehicles entering British soil. Scattered along the beach at Grain, these defences have been Grade II listed…
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In the marshy area adjacent to North Fambridge marina lies a ferro-concrete barge partially submerged in a field. Once stranded in the marshland, this barge exists as a peculiar hulk misplaced from its maritime origins and today exists buried into the earth following the reclamation of the area into farmland. This example is in good…
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TN13, or Bowaters Farm Anti-Aircraft Battery, was built at the outbreak of the Second World War. Whilst many HAA sites have been demolished, we were given permission by the farm owner to have an explore around these 70 year-old remains. Built in 1939, the defence was armed with four 3.7-inch guns and later upgraded to…
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The Spigot Mortar, or a Bombard as it’s also know. They were developed in the 1930’s although it wasn’t until the Second World War that Prime Minister Winston Churchill approved the anti-tank weapon for mass production with over 20,000 produced throughout the war, issued to forces across the land. As the black and white image…
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Winchester Palace was built in the 12th-century and served as the London townhouse for the Bishops of Winchester. The Bishop of Winchester was a major landowner in Southwark, in Surrey, and he traditionally served as the King’s Royal Treasurer, performing the function of the modern Chancellor of the Exchequer and therefore had to frequently meet with…
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