09/1997 Anti-tank cubes. Castle Eden Dene is a large dene with a wide flat bottom. Access is gained by a metalled road running down the S side from Blackhall. It is at the end of this track, and apparently disturbed, that a number of large concrete blocks can be seen. 5 in total, they are in two groups.
One group of three and the other of two. In the larger group there are two sizes of block, one measuring 3. 1m x 1. 3m x 1. 2m and the others 1. 3m x 1. 2m x 1. 2m. The larger block also has an iron girder protruding from one of the longer faces. It is difficult to say whether this was intended for use as an anchor or specifically to protrude upwards or sideways from the block.
From imprints left on the surface of the blocks it is possible to assume they had corrugated iron shuttering. There are two possible functions for the blocks. Firstly, that they were placed originally as part of the coastal defences as anti-tank traps, or secondly there were used to stop the illegal sea coal trade in the 1970s.
They may even have served both functions. It is possible that other blocks survive under thick vegetation.