Two First World War Pillboxes to the north and south of Happisburgh Road, White Horse Common

Two First World War pillboxes were built between 1916 and 1918, located to the north and south of Happisburgh Road at White Horse Common.

The pillboxes have concrete block walls and a concrete roof slab that includes steel beams, along with steel doors and gun loop shutters. They are circular in shape and each has one entrance leading to a single internal space.

Inside, the northern pillbox features a single open-plan area with an earth floor. The un-rendered blockwork walls and roof are painted white. The gun loops are fitted with steel frames and integral mounting brackets, with two retaining their central hinged shutters that have rings for securing them. There are also two holes in the roof that may have held ventilation pipes. The southern pillbox mirrors this interior layout, with gun loop fittings in place, and one retaining its central hinged shutter.

On the exterior, the northern pillbox is located in a field, slightly below ground level, and overlooks the North Walsham and Dilham Canal and the bridge at Ebridge Mill to the east. Its concrete block walls are roughly pointed, and the roof slab is a single piece of cast concrete topped by blocks with curved outer faces. There are five gun loops around the pillbox, with two flanking the narrow doorway on the west side, which features original steel double leaf doors secured with a hasp and bolt.

The southern pillbox is of the same design, construction, and size as the northern one. It is situated right beside the road and also overlooks the North Walsham and Dilham Canal and the bridge at Ebridge Mill to the east. This pillbox has five gun loops around it, with two flanking the doorway on the west side, but it does not retain its original doors.