NHER 38883 (Monument record) - Possible World War Two buildings

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
This site consists of a group of modern structures located along the cliffs at Cromer. Whilst many of these buildings are not military in construction, some of them do appear to have been incorporated into World War Two activity taking place in the area. A large slit trench ran along the cliff top to immediate north (NHER 38888) and Allan Williams turret was positioned to the eastern edge of the site (NHER 32573). These structures sit within a much larger spread of World War Two defences and military sites, which provided coastal protection and training areas, such as NHER 38869-71, 38873 and 32576, all along the Cromer cliff tops.

This dispersed group of huts and structures is centred on TG 2092 4247 and is visible on aerial photographs (S1-5). The structures range in size and appearance from small light coloured, possibly concrete structures, measuring 2-3m across, and larger structures, with black pitched roofs, that measure up to 8m by 4.5m. Many of these larger structures continue in use and are marked on the 1957 Ordnance Survey map (1957, 6") (S6). These structures may be related to coastal and fishing industries, such as boat sheds. However there is some evidence that these may have been used during or at least incorporated into military activity, such as at TG 2106 4242, where two slit trenches have been cut either side of a shed, just to the south of a allan williams turret (NHER 32573).

Also in June 1946 there is a cluster of parchmarks indicating where structures have stood. An extent of area was defined for these conjoined angular marks centred on TG 2097 4249 (S5). The origin, date and archaeological significance of these features is questionable, as they may relate to a more recent, 1945 to 1946 seaside event, rather than World War Two structures that have been removed. Centred around TG 2099 4242 is a cluster of small rectangular and square structures. These have the appearance of moved anti-tank blocks. A roadblock was located 40m to the south east in 1941 to 1942 (NHER 38884), however the structures are not entirely consistent with those visible earlier.

A further area of buildings, centred on TG 2079 4249, has also been defined by an extent of area on the NMP map. This area of the site consists of a complicated mass of small rectangular structures. These again are undoubtedly non-military in origin, but it worth flagged the area up as possibly having unidentified World War Two structures and /or defences hidden amongst it. The amount of structures increases considerably in-between 1942 to 1946 and a new and well-worn trackway to the site is visible in 1946 (S5). It is also to the immediate east of an area of World War Two slit trenches and defences (NHER 38893).
S. Massey (NMP), 19 October 2004.