Hillman Site
Hillman Site
4.5
About
Hillman was the Command Post for the coastal defence, commanded by Colonel Krug and Major Hoff, where infantry and artillery were stationed. In this complex of fortifications, about sixty soldiers from the 736 Grenadier Regiment lived and worked within the bunkers, buried under 3 meters (9 ft' 10ins) of concrete. Some of these bunkers consisted of armoured cupolas with a thickness of approximately 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 inches), used for observation and gun emplacements/tobruks, containing rotating machine guns to defend the site. The bunkers were well equipped, with mechanical ventilation systems and central heating. Outside, a complex network of trenches linked the different underground positions, consisting of the headquarters, signal center, radio room, mess rooms and bathrooms. Every position was connected with each other through a network of telephone lines buried 2 or 3m (6' - 10') deep in the ground. Built at 61m (200 feet) above sea level, the complex offered a strategic position, with direct views of the landing beaches, as well as the mouth of the river Orne. The field of fire or killing zone extended 600 m (2000 ft) and more in several directions. Hillman was therefore a fortress comparable with some parts of the Maginot Line.
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1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
119 reviews
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brian l
8 contributions
Jun 2022
Visited the site on June the 6th 2022 and over the years the site has grown and been restored so much so that it is a great achievement to visit all the bunkers. It is such a realistic view of how the Germans operated during the defense of the surrounding countryside. which ended on D day plus one by the Suffolk Regiment with supporting troops All the work is done by a team of volunteers and a tribute to their work.
Their next project is the restoration of a Churchill tank which I hope to see this year on D day +79 years
Their next project is the restoration of a Churchill tank which I hope to see this year on D day +79 years
Written 12 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Coastal617760
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
I went on a guided tour which was excellent. The bunkers contain lots of wartime artefacts and furnishings which help you imagine how it was in 1944. The site is managed and maintained by a voluntary association who have gone beyond in their commemoration of the Suffolk Regiment that captured the bunkers in June 1944.
Written 7 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
number1leadman
Lincoln, UK407 contributions
Jun 2022
This open field looks nothing like the formidable German fortification it is. There are numerous concrete pits and underground entrances which lead to vast hidden complex of tunnels and rooms. The only visible things are a couple of dome shaped cast iron structures that just sit on top of the fortifications. We were lucky to meet a local who lived in the area all his life and he explained the site to us and the labyrinth of passages. He said that in 1944 there was an unobstructed view from there right the way across the land to the sea, now blocked by an estate of modern houses. Well worth hunting out.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brian l
8 contributions
Jun 2021
This historic site is a testament to a team of dedicated men and women who have unearthed and restored one of the first objectives of mainly the Suffolk Regiment on D day plus 1 The site is free to enter with car parking and on and around the sixth June there is a procession of vehicles which leave the site and drive down a short journey to the coast with much wailing of sirens and hooters from the large assortment of World War 2 vehicles
The local Mayor and the association of Amis de Suffolk have worked very hard on this project and I have visited quite a few times to attend the open-air Church service when wreaths are laid
Well worth a visit for the whole family and educational for children
The local Mayor and the association of Amis de Suffolk have worked very hard on this project and I have visited quite a few times to attend the open-air Church service when wreaths are laid
Well worth a visit for the whole family and educational for children
Written 14 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guillaume R
Gothenburg, Sweden1,022 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
We stopped at Hillman site in June 2020 for one hour.
The complex houses several bunkers and defensive positions, all underground.
Volunteers give tours at regular times (check ahead their website for hours). You get the chance to enter the main bunker then.
Even without the help of a volunteer, signs help understand the layout and functions of the bunkers. They are rather well protected and made their assault daunting.
A bit of reading ahead of your visit will go a long way to make your stop even more worthwhile.
Highly recommended.
The complex houses several bunkers and defensive positions, all underground.
Volunteers give tours at regular times (check ahead their website for hours). You get the chance to enter the main bunker then.
Even without the help of a volunteer, signs help understand the layout and functions of the bunkers. They are rather well protected and made their assault daunting.
A bit of reading ahead of your visit will go a long way to make your stop even more worthwhile.
Highly recommended.
Written 21 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ignace B
Roeselare, Belgium900 contributions
Nov 2019
Out of season we went up to this site and could walk all around the site, except in the main building. Nice site with a few bunkers, look-outs.
Written 5 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PGNevis
Pacific Grove, CA198 contributions
Sep 2019
This is an excellent example of German planning and design for interior fortifications. Had no idea that this was done so far away of the coast. Fortunately was was incomplete at the time of Overlord and its defenders surrendered en masse. It helped considerably that we had a guide or we wouldn't have known about it. Be sure to go on a tour day.
Written 1 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dogwalker32018
Portishead, UK25 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Well sign posted and free parking. Very quiet when arrived so had the site and small museum to ourselves. Site will have more meaning if some background reading is done beforehand to understand why this was such a significant position for the allies to overcome and the achievement that was made in taking it. Time for visit depends on how much is read inside of the small museum - 1 hour for museum and site.
Written 20 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacob
14 contributions
Sep 2019 • Solo
Turned up just before 3, seen that there was Suffolk regiment staff at location giving free tours of the site. You would have no idea what was st the site unless staff were there, 3 members of staff, different languages for every visitor. Site was incredible and well cleaned and redesigned to be as best as prior state during the war, artifics brought in by the Suffolk reg to reinstate to former glory!! German members donated stuff who served in the bunker in 1944 and information of the whole site given to all Suffolk reg staff!! Would highly recommend a visit here it’s open, and free just give a donation! Guaranteed visit would visit again
Written 4 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynne B
Sheffield, UK100 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
We had been to the Blockhaus last year but not on a tour day.
It was well worth coming back for the tour. We couldn't believe the number of people who had come too.
Tours are in French and English. Georgr led our group. He was very informative and helpful and made sure we saw everything but at a different time from the big groups on the French tours.
We were there about 2 hours. Tours were at 3pm Tuesday.
It was well worth coming back for the tour. We couldn't believe the number of people who had come too.
Tours are in French and English. Georgr led our group. He was very informative and helpful and made sure we saw everything but at a different time from the big groups on the French tours.
We were there about 2 hours. Tours were at 3pm Tuesday.
Written 11 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hillman Site
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