Scheduled MonumentsEnglandGroup of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley

Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley

England
List entry 1021243
Nation
England
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

The Group of seven World War II fighter pens at RAF Kenley is a scheduled ancient monument comprising a cluster of concrete blast shelters constructed to protect Royal Air Force fighter aircraft during the Second World War. Located at the former airfield near Caterham in Surrey, these pens date from the early 1940s and represent standard defensive infrastructure deployed across Fighter Command stations during the Battle of Britain and subsequent aerial campaigns. Each pen consists of a reinforced concrete structure with splayed walls designed to contain bomb blast and shrapnel whilst allowing aircraft to be serviced and sheltered from enemy attack. The survival of this group of seven examples provides important material evidence of the operational methods and protective measures employed by the RAF during the critical years of the air war over southern England.

Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley is a scheduled monument protected by Historic England under reference 1021243. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley?

The Group of seven World War II fighter pens at RAF Kenley is a scheduled ancient monument comprising a cluster of concrete blast shelters constructed to protect Royal Air Force fighter aircraft during the Second World War. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic England (NHLE) under reference 1021243.

Who is responsible for protecting Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley?

Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic England (NHLE) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in England. The official designation reference is 1021243.

What other scheduled monuments are near Group of seven World War II fighter pens at the former airfield of RAF Kenley?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Fosterdown or Pilgrim Fort: a London mobilisation centre (5.1 km), Large multivallate hillfort at War Coppice Camp (5.1 km), Woldingham Fort: a London mobilisation centre 500m south of Whistlers Wood Farm (5.9 km).

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