Scheduled MonumentsWalesFlat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences
Post Medieval/Modern · Battery

Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences

Wales
Cadw SAM GM595
Period
Post Medieval/Modern
Site type
Battery
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences is a post-medieval and modern defensive installation located on Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel. The site comprises coastal defence batteries and anti-aircraft gun positions established during the Second World War to protect shipping in the Bristol Channel and the port facilities of South Wales. The fortifications represent the layered defence strategy employed by British forces during the war, combining traditional coastal artillery with anti-aircraft weaponry to counter both naval and aerial threats. The physical remains include gun emplacements, observation posts, and associated structures that survive as testament to the island's strategic military importance during the conflict and the wider defence infrastructure of South Wales.

Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM595. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences?

Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences is a post-medieval and modern defensive installation located on Flat Holm Island in the Bristol Channel. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM595.

What period does Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences date from?

Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences dates from the post medieval/modern period, and is classified as a battery. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences?

Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is GM595.

What other scheduled monuments are near Flat Holm Coastal and Anti-aircraft Defences?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Three Palmerstonian Gun Batteries, Flat Holm (0.1 km), Flat Holm Victorian Rain Water Catchment (0.1 km), Flat Holm Victorian Rock Cut Defensive Ditch and Rampart (0.1 km).

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