Military remains in the Mendip Hills

The Second World War saw new buildings added to Yoxter firing range to the northwest of Priddy and the creation of a bombing decoy complex on Black Down.  Decoy towns were used to persuade enemy bombers to avoid major towns and cities, in this case, Bristol.  The Black Down decoy consists of lines of round mounds arranged on a grid pattern.  The mounds had small lights placed on them to simulate street lights.  The mounds were originally constructed as obstacles to prevent aircraft landing.  Control bunkers for the decoy town and Starfish decoys also survive at this site.

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