NHER 42487 (Monument record) - A World War Two training site at the former Mariners Park Holiday Centre on Station Road, Hopton-on-Sea.

February 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two military camp is visible on aerial photographs at the former Mariners Park Holiday Centre on Station Road, Hopton-on-Sea (S1-S2). A large underground bunker, two masts or towers, plus several nissen huts are visible at this site, although the exact nature of the military usage of the site is not known. Two other holiday camps in the area were also being used for troops, see NHER 32668, 42486, 42491 and 42496. The site is centred on TM 5261 0013. This site corresponds with the grid reference given for the Diver Strip Anti-aircraft battery in military records (S7: p245). This battery has been located on the aerial photographs 800m to the northeast on the golf course, see NHER 42483 for details. It is possible that the troops manning the HAA battery were stationed at this site and marched to the actual gun site for their duty. Although, as some huts and tents are present on the actual gun site, it could just be an incorrectly sited grid reference.

One of the main components of the site is a well surfaced road running from the entrance to a large concrete building, two masts and a large underground structure. The large concrete structure is located at TM 5252 0012 and measures 18m by up to 13m. This has a building has a roof that slopes down to the rear of the structure. A lower roofed structure, 6.5m by 2m, is conjoined to the west. The function of this structure is not known. This building faces onto the surfaced track that runs from the entrance of the site and finishes in a circular surfaced area at TM 5256 0013. In May 1944 two features are visible within this circular surfaced area, although the photographs are not of sufficient quality to discern whether these are actual structures or just trucks (S2) and therefore nothing was mapped. The two square masts or towers are situated just to the north of this circular terminal of the road, at TM 5256 0014 and TM 5254 0012. These are not exceptionally tall, approximately the same height as a 2-3 storey building. The exact purpose of these is not known, although it is assumed that they must have been linked to military radio communications. In August 1945 the grass to the northeast of the site, and adjacent to the underground structure entrance, is filled with army trucks (S4), this would indicate some increase in military activity at the site.

At TM 5259 0014 there is a 6m wide concrete ramp leading down into a recess, presumably leading into an underground chamber or structure. This entrance structure measures 20m by 8m. This has the outward appearance of a swimming pool under construction. The surface components of this structure remain post-war, although in 1955 the structure has been fenced off and the interior has been levelled, presumably blocking the entrance to the sub-surface structure (S5). By 1964 the structure has been completely filled and surface components dismantled (S6). It is possible that this underground structure was a large air raid shelter, although the construction differs from other large shelters mapped elsewhere. The proportions of the walls and entrance are much more substantial. This would perhaps indicate a military bunker or underground operational building than an air raid shelter.

At TM 5259 0008 is a large area of concrete hard standing, but it is not clear whether this is a World War Two addition to the site. In 1945 it has some material piled up on it (S3). To the north of this, centred on TM 5257 0010, is a pair of rectangular sheds, which seem integral to the military site, but may not be military in origin. These are located to the east of square arrangement of small huts and chalets, but these all appear to pre-date the World War Two activity.

Due to the requisitioning of an existing holiday campsite by the military it is likely that the majority of the existing buildings were used for military purposes, however these were not mapped, only structures that were newly built or obviously modified have been recorded. March 1944 is the earliest available aerial photographs of the site (S1), although it may have originated much earlier in the war. In May 1944 there are definite signs that the chalet huts, centred on TM 5274 0012, had been recently used and were probably providing accommodation for the troops (S2-S3). To the south of this area of chalets is a curved-profile hut, measuring 13.5m by 5m and centred on TM 5277 0006. This is probably a nissen hut. Two other possible nissens are visible within the western area of the site, at TM 5261 0004 and TM 5254 0000. A small concrete structure is added to the rear of this nissen in-between March 1944 (S2) and August 1945 (S3). A recent looking rectangular pitched-roof hut is located next to this, although it is not certain whether this is World War Two in date. A larger, pitched-roof hut to the northwest also has signs of a newly constructed conjoined concrete structure, again suggesting a World War Two addition or modification. At TM 5261 0002 is large rectangular shed that was constructed in-between March 1944 (S1) and August 1945 (S3).
S. Massey (NMP), 02 February 2006.

December 2006. Norfolk NMP.
The interpretation of this site has altered after consultation of the aerial photographs by Roger Thomas of English Heritage. The possible concrete ramp leading down into an underground recess has now been identified as a training pool. The similarity of appearance to a swimming pool was noted previously. It seems likely that this pool was used for practice undertaking of manoeuvres and activities in water. The two towers or masts have also been suggested as being erected for training purposes. The large building with the stepped roof has been identified as a workshop. One possible function of the site suggested by Roger Thomas is that it was a training school for maintenance crews for mobile radar installations or some similar site.
S. Massey (NMP), 03 December 2006.