Out of Range

The forest holds many mysteries, tucked away from the crowds deep into the hinterland or hidden right under your nose, or out of the way just enough to be missed.  A strange brick built nook, nestled at the base of a fern covered hill, is one such mystery; at first it appears out of context with its surroundings, purposeless.  Although, on further investigation one finds it's associated with the remains of an adjacent firing range butt.  It was used by target  spotters and changers to shelter whilst firing was underway.  The nature of the brick work and building style suggests that it was constructed either in the late 19th or early 20th centuries; it was certainly used during both World Wars. On the exposed ground surfaces around the butts .303, 45 cal and 38 cal projectiles are bountiful and I'm certain that if the firing platforms could be identified, cases could be retrieved. If you didn't know these features were here you could easily pass them every day on any of the nearby paths.