IN A CORNER of a Salisbury retirement community lies a hidden secret from darker times – a World War Two pillbox.
The structure, which could house seven gun positions, was constructed in 1940-41 at Bemerton Farm, in Lower Road.
Overlooking the River Nadder Valley below, the six-sided pillbox was among hundreds constructed during the war to offer defence should the British Isles be invaded.
Now, there are plans to repair the Bemerton Farm pillbox, which has become eroded and overgrown, with a planning application for the work submitted to Wiltshire Council.
Grade II-listed Bemerton Farm, built by Samuel Clarke for the Dowager Countess of Pembroke in 1863, is now a retirement community run by Cognatum Estates Ltd.
“The buildings were designed to be beautiful as well as useful, making it unusual although pleasant to look at,” the application said.
“There is an enclosed courtyard of stone cottages, a farmhouse and gatehouse, a circular dovecote and a WWII pillbox.
“A nine-hole golf course runs partly around the estate and across the road is a private walled garden on the River Nadder, with open countryside beyond.”
The plans said the pillbox – a six-sided Type 24 – was built around 1940-41.
“Walls are made of reinforced concrete faced with brickwork, both inside and out,” the plans went on.
“The upper part surmounts an adjacent four-feet high stone farmyard wall. It overlooks the River Nadder valley below to the south.
“The pillbox is in good condition, but somewhat overgrown; most of the outer bricks have been eroded; quite a lot of concrete has deteriorated, especially at the left-hand roadside corner, with some areas exposing iron reinforcement.”
The inside of the pillbox, which is showing signs of wear
Plans submitted outline work for the “conservation, repair and stabilisation” of the pillbox to “address ongoing deterioration, improve drainage, remove vegetation and undertake localised repairs”.
“We aim to preserve the structure’s historic fabric through a minimal intervention approach.”
Pillboxes were built across various ‘stop lines’ in south west England during the Second World War, in preparation for a possible invasion by Nazi forces.
Dozens remain in situ across the region, including across neighbouring Somerset and along the Dorset coast.
For more details on the plans, visit wiltshire.gov.uk and search application reference PL/2026/03859.
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