Essex radar tower listed as Grade II to mark 80th anniversary of Battle of Britain Day

The Chain Home transmitter in Great Baddow is the only complete tower surviving in the British Isles.

Published 15th Sep 2020

The tower was originally erected at RAF Canewdon in 1937, but was relocated to Great Baddow almost 20 years later.

According to Historic England, which has listed the tower as Grade II, it helped play a crucial role in air defence against the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain.

Chain Home was the first early warning radar network in the world, and was used to help the RAF prepare for attacks.

Not only did it help play a vital part in the Second World War, when it was moved to the Marconi Company research site in Great Baddow its role helped in defence research and communications during the Cold War.

Tony Calladine, East of England's Regional Director for Historic England, said: "This rare intact survivor is a testament to the men and women who developed the technology that led to the winning of the Battle of Britain 80 years ago.

"By protecting it, we are enabling this striking structure to continue to tell the story of technological advancement in the time of warfare."