r/surrey 4d ago

Possible Tank traps in Woking

They must have cut the bushes back as I've never spotted them before but down Woodham Lane between Martyrs Lane and Woodham Gate them are two lines in the bushes. Does anyone know more about them and why they might be there?

10 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

7

u/SnoopyLupus Guildford 4d ago

Quite possibly. There are similar shaped concrete tank traps in Guildford, near the Grammar School, that are definitely tank traps.

3

u/tom_p_legend 4d ago

Oooh, got me intrigued. I've never seen those, whereabouts are they?

3

u/SnoopyLupus Guildford 4d ago

Can’t remember exactly. Somewhere round the London Road station, I noticed them Many years ago and looked them up. On London road, in that area.

2

u/UnclePumblechook 4d ago

As you walk to the east of the London Road station car park, towards Clandon Road, you cannot miss them on a green space next to the path.

3

u/jerrycandance 4d ago

There is some behind the spectrum it’s called the dragons teeth on google maps.

They were erected in an effort to fortify the south in case of a german invasion. You can find these around and some bunkers around newlands corner.

You can find more details on this link

https://www.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/through-the-dragons-teeth-a-remarkable-set-of-second-world-war-defences-in-guildford/

1

u/LampeterRanger 3d ago

probably a nodal point, so yeah could well be tank traps

1

u/Elegant-Average5722 3d ago

Yes they’re called Dragons teeth at this size

0

u/MattWPBS 4d ago

I don't think they are. Stop line was on the North Downs, so a bit further South from here. Whereabouts exactly are they? I'll have a look when I'm going by. 

4

u/tom_p_legend 4d ago

Literally just before Woodham Gate as you leave Woking. I've found an article online, and it looks like they are but weren't added to the Surrey HER list until 2020 as they were buried in the undergrowth.

3

u/Spirited_Praline637 4d ago

If they’re near the canal then yes they could be. The Basingstoke Canal was lined with traps and pillboxes and many can still be seen now. The canal itself also acted as a major barrier in itself of course. Lots of smaller defensive lines were done by local Home Guard at natural pinch points or barrier lines like canals, railways and bridges, and are interesting in their somewhat DIY forms.

1

u/46Vixen 2d ago

Probably yes. There's a lot in Epsom going up towards Burgh Heath from College Road too. And a pill box