DOMstudies: The Sound Mirrors in Dungeness
Are you ready to travel back in time and catch a glimpse of history that will leave you awestruck? This month on the DOMjournal, we have the perfect story for you.
Located just a short drive away from our lovely St. John and Coastguard’s Cottage, Dungeness is one of the most unique locations in England that is famous for Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage, the shingle beach, and diverse wildlife. But there's another reason to visit this peculiar place during your stay - the Denge Sound Mirrors, a marvel of aviation surveillance that aided in defending the UK during the early years of air warfare.
Also known as the Acoustic Mirrors or Listening Ears, these fascinating concrete structures are unlike anything else, and combined with the wilderness of the surrounding Dungeness Nature Reserve, arriving there feels like you’ve landed on Mars. As you approach the site, the first thing you notice is their sheer size, with the largest one, dawning over the tall grass and skinny trees like a concrete Goliath on a man-made island. Needless to say, the sight is awe-inspiring.
If you’re unfamiliar with the history of the area you might be wondering, what exactly is this cluster of odd-looking buildings and how did they end up there?
Scattered along the British coastline, these large, curved inventions were used to amplify sound in the early 20th century. They are essentially concave surfaces that reflect sound waves in a certain direction. The first mirrors were built between 1928 and 1935 as part of Britain's national defense strategy and used as early warning devices to detect and monitor enemy aircrafts flying over the English Channel. Think of them as the first attempt at creating a form of radar - and as at the time, there was no other way to do this, they were incredibly successful at helping to prevent air attacks.
The ones near Dungeness are the best preserved of their kind, and they're truly a fascinating sight to see. There are three structures, each with a different design and purpose. The largest, a 200-foot mirror, is a near vertical, curved wall, 200 feet (60m) long., engineered to detect the sound of flying engines from up to 15 miles away. It is one of only two similar acoustic mirrors in the world, the other being in Malta.
The second one looks even more bizarre, a tall vertical structure with a half-dome shape set on a base with some kind of underground station. Lastly, the smallest and most regular out of the three is a polygonal dish set directly on the ground. Even in its small scale, it’s still very impressive. Their curved shape helps focus sound waves onto a microphone which is transmitted to a nearby stationed operator, trained to determine the location and direction of the incoming aircraft.
After becoming obsolete through the invention of modern radar systems, the Sound Mirrors were left to decay. In recent years, however, they became a popular tourist attraction, an architectural tribute to human ingenuity and the desire to defend the country. Visitors get the opportunity to roam through the wild landscape of the Dungeness Nature Reserve and walk around the mirrors, listening to the strange and intriguing echoes created by other guests. We were lucky to attend a tour with an incredibly knowledgeable guide, who had written two books on the subject, and who walked us through the technology and history with images from his personal archive.
To be certain that you receive the same treatment, make sure to book your open-day tickets a few weeks in advance and ask for advice regarding guided tour hours. The secretive island retreat is the only location in the world where you can see all three designs in one place.
Open days are starting in April and continue until October, but spots are limited, so you have to be fast!
As the site is a short drive from both St John and Coastguards Cottage, be sure to check for availability at either when preparing for your visit.
Whether you’re an avid explorer or just looking for a unique activity for this spring, this must be on your list. Pack your bags and get ready to explore this amazing piece of history!
Please keep in mind that the site is inaccessible to wheelchairs because of the uneven shingle path leading onto the island. The RSPB recommends the use of the entrances from Taylor Road, Leonard Road or Seaview Road. There is no car parking on site, so please use the public car parks on the seafront (Coast Drive/The Parade). Please use the designated trails around the site.
Photography by Voytek Ketz
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