Slipway And Hard, Brixham Outer Harbour

The Slipway and Hard at Brixham Outer Harbour is a four-berth Landing Ship Tank (LST) slipway and embarkation hard constructed in 1943. It is situated in the lee of an existing breakwater and was built as part of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of German-occupied Western Europe.

The hard itself is roughly triangular and gently slopes towards the sea, while the slipway has a significantly steeper gradient. The visible features include a modern protective concrete slab surface laid parallel to the sea, which sits over the original cobbled “biscuit” surface providing a robust layer for heavy vehicles. This original cobbled surface is visible at the lower end of the slipway and in a further band leading towards the sea, possibly original or reconstructed, over the location of a pipeline. A bronze memorial plaque, dedicated to the men of the 4th Infantry Division, VII Corps, U.S. Army, who embarked at Brixham, is located adjacent to the hard.

The Brixham hard was one of 68 purpose-built structures along the southern shores of England and Wales, and was in heavy use before and during the invasion. It was derequisitioned in 1945, and while associated jetties were removed, the concrete hard and slipway were retained for commercial and leisure purposes. A protective layer of concrete slabs was added between 1952 and 1965.

The slipway and hard are designated at Grade II because they represent the best-preserved example of a standard type of hard and slipway, are an important World War II resource of national significance, and are linked to the Grade II* listed hard at Torquay. The memorial marker, association with contemporary defences, and its iconic status as a reminder of D-Day and the role of both the local community and the American military all contribute to its significance.