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Tollerton Airfield has a remarkably extensive set of surviving pillboxes, most in generally good condition, even though in many cases overgrown.

The constriction of pillboxes at airfields was prioritised for those near ports, plus Aircraft Storage Units. Tollerton did not fit those criteria, but was a Field Repair Unit at which large numbers of aircraft would be on site. The 17 pillboxes at Tollerton are a mix of Type 22 Link and an unnumbered type of rectangular form with chamfered corners. The survival of what is a virtually complete set for the airfield has resulted in them being Listed Grade II in 2012.

The reference numbers in the titles are those to be found in the Defence of Britain database Link

For other views of pillboxes in general, see Link

(NB the type 22 pillboxes are incorrectly identified as Type 24 in the database but have been subsequently corrected in the Pillbox Study Group updated extended database Link )

"Pillboxes" were military bunkers built during World War II in 1940 and into 1941. They were built in strategic places near Rivers, Railways and road junctions, creating a network of defences across Great Britain. 28,000 pill boxes were built, and about a fifth still survive. The construction was typically in concrete, sometimes with bricks externally which was used as shuttering during the construction. They came in different shapes and sizes; most common in hexagonal and octagonal shapes.

The largest number of pill boxes are found in the South-East of England closest to the threat of German invaders.

Pillbox study group Link

Defence of Britain Archive Link


Keywords: Pillbox, Pill Box, WWII

Listed buildings and structures are officially designated as being of special architectural, historical or cultural significance. There are over half a million listed structures in the United Kingdom, covered by around 375,000 listings.
Listed status is more commonly associated with buildings or groups of buildings, however it can cover many other structures, including bridges, headstones, steps, ponds, monuments, walls, phone boxes, wrecks, parks, and heritage sites, and in more recent times a road crossing (Abbey Road) and graffiti art (Banksy 'Spy-booth') have been included.

In England and Wales there are three main listing designations;
Grade I (2.5%) - exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important.
Grade II* (5.5%) - particularly important buildings of more than special interest.
Grade II (92%) - nationally important and of special interest.

There are also locally listed structures (at the discretion of local authorities) using A, B and C designations.

In Scotland three classifications are also used but the criteria are different. There are around 47,500 Listed buildings.
Category A (8%)- generally equivalent to Grade I and II* in England and Wales
Category B (51%)- this appears generally to cover the ground of Grade II, recognising national importance.
Category C (41%)- buildings of local importance, probably with some overlap with English Grade II.

In Northern Ireland the criteria are similar to Scotland, but the classifications are:
Grade A (2.3%)
Grade B+ (4.7%)
Grade B (93%)

Read more at Wikipedia Link