Kilnsea Acoustic Mirror
Tuesday, March 7th, 2006
Hidden away in a field at the edge of the Beacon Lagoons Nature Reserve at Kilnsea, East Yorkshire is a piece of World War One history.
The large concrete structure is approximately 3 metres high. There is a large concaved dish moulded into the west face and a metal pole mounted on a small concrete block in front of the structure.
The acoustic mirror can be likened to a primative early warning radar system. A microphone would be attached to the top of the metal pole, apparently a trumpet like device and the operator would sit behind the structure or in a trench and listen for the noise of approaching enermy air ships which was focused by the shape of the mirror onto the microhone. Because early WW1 air ships were relatively slow the sound could often be heard before it could be seen.
The acoustic mirror was set back from the coast by a few hundred metres to reduce the noise of the sea being focused by the mirror and drowning out the sound of approaching air ships.
This ‘technology’ was soon obsolete as aircraft took over and travelled faster and could be seen before being heard making binoculars a far more effective early warning system.
If you are planning a visit to see the acoustic mirror and Kilnsea Fort there are a few things to consider before travelling.
- It can become extremely cold and wet without warning on the east coast. Take waterproof clothing and suitable waterproof footwear.
- The best legal access to the mirror is via the beach. Check tide times before venturing onto the beach as there’s a risk of being cut off due to the high cliffs.
- Access to the mirror is via a nature reserve which is mostly marsh land. There’s a lot of nesting birds in this area so take care where you walk.
- The mirror is located in a farmer’s field marked as private. Suitable viewing of the mirror can be made from the nature reserve.
A public car park is provided at the end of Easington Road in Kilnsea near to the beach (Click on the map image to see a larger version). Leave the car park and head north along the beach and past the old WW2 coastal defences which have collapsed onto the beach. The cliff rises from nearly beach level at the car park to its highest point at the coastal defences and begins to fall again one hundred metres or so after the defences. As soon as the cliff has fallen back to beach level again it’s possible to get onto the path which runs parallel with the beach. At this point the acoustic mirror and Beacon Lagoons Nature Reserve should be clearly visible as should the gate where access can be gained.
Locations:
Acoustic Mirror - OS Grid Reference TA 411 166
Public Car Park - OS Grid Reference TA 417 158
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