The Gatehouse at Bonds Mill, Grade II listed military structure in Stonehouse, England
The Gatehouse at Bonds Mill is a two-story defensive structure with a distinctive octagonal floor plan situated beside the Stroudwater Navigation Canal. Its reinforced concrete ground floor and red brick upper level create a solid, functional design.
This defensive structure was built in 1940 as one of sixteen pillboxes along the Stroudwater Navigation, designed to protect against potential invasion during World War II. It formed part of a defensive network meant to safeguard the area.
The building now serves as a visitor center run by the Cotswold Canals Trust, displaying exhibitions about local military and industrial heritage. Visitors can learn about the site's wartime role and its connection to the canal's history.
The center is open during Easter and summer weekends from 2 PM to 4 PM, allowing visitors to explore the building's history. Its location right beside the canal makes it easy to find and offers a pleasant walking route.
Inside the building are the original hydraulic control systems for the adjacent bridge, which was replaced in 1994 with the first plastic lift bridge for vehicles. This technical detail shows how the structure's components have lasted through decades.
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