On the west bank of the River Colne, facing across to Wivenhoe on the other side, is a concrete pillbox. It sits high on a tall platform of concrete built into the river bank and is unusually shaped. It is effectively 8-sided although two of the sides form an internal angle thus cutting out a quarter of the area of an otherwise octagonal pillbox. The sides, starting at the northeast and working clockwise measure 11ft 6in; 6ft; 3ft 3in; 10ft (angled towards the centre of pillbox); 3ft 9in (angled out from the centre); 4ft 3in; 7ft; and 7ft 6in. There are five loopholes. On the longest wall facing across the river there are two loopholes - one a normal 10in wide by 12in high with steel surrounds, and the other an unusual 7in wide by 12in slit. The concrete is 15in thick and the entrance is a drop-in well type on the outside of the 7ft wall.

An aerial photograph taken in 1946 shows that the unusual shape of the pillbox may be due to its having been built partly around a structure or building on its landward side. This had disappeared by 1960.<1><2>

Four photos of site.<3>

See also <4>.