World War 2 Battery (Gunsite) at Butt Farm

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H31 comprises 4 brick-built Gun Emplacements arranged in an arc around a semi-submerged Command Post. This Battery became operational during 1941 with four 3.7 inch guns operated by men of the 62 HAA Regiment. The remaining roles on the site were undertaken entirely by women of the ATS ( Auxiliary Territorial Service ) who would carry out all operations, except for those associated directly with the guns. 

​The gun site or Battery, known as H31, was one of about 50 permanent gun sites located on both sides of the River Humber during the War. The Humber area had been identified as a location to be defended by guns against anticipated enemy aerial attack. In fact, Hull was heavily targeted and subjected to 82 raids in which there were around 1200 civilian fatalities and 87,000 houses damaged.

The Battery would have had up to 300 permanent personnel, of which about half would have been female. Most of the accommodation huts were located on what is now the Caravan Site.

 " When taking over Butt Farm in 2014 we realised we had inherited an important and rare piece of our nation's military and social history. In the intervening years, we have cleared the site of the rubbish and vegetation to reveal some remarkable structures and in 2021 Historic England completed a major programme of repair and restoration. During 
this period, extensive research has been carried out to understand the history and operation of this Anti Aircraft Battery.

   The Gun Site is located on private land - so public access can only be obtained by joining one of our organised Tours which take around 90 minutes. These are normally held every Sunday morning between Easter and the end of September with extra events arranged during Heritage Open 
Days week. In addition, Tours can be held, by arrangement, for private groups of between 8 and 18 people. A small charitable donation is invited. "

 The gun site is strictly private property. If you are staying on the campsite & would like to look around the site please let us know and we will try and arrange this. 

Sundays 10am (April - September) - we offer a guided tour of our WW2 anti aircraft gun site which is located on the farm for guests on the campsite. If you would like to join this tour please ask when you check in or put your name on the list in the utility room on the site (min. 6 people required for the tour to run)