Memorials & monuments Β· East of England
World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken
In or near Little Oakley.
World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is a memorial in the United Kingdom.

Zorba the Geek β CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 15 minβ45 min
- Nearest railway station
- Kirby Cross Β· 3.2 km
- Free entry
- Dog-friendly
About
World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is a public memorial in Essex, East of England, recording local sacrifice and named in the parish register of war and civic monuments. The site is part of the HAMFORD WATER National Nature Reserve. It sits within the Clacton parliamentary constituency. The nearest railway station is Kirby Cross, about 3.2 km away. Postcode area CO13.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2023
Imagery Β© Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Official information
The World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is a scheduled monument that served as a naval decoy during the war, designed to protect Harwich dockyard. It features a well-preserved night shelter and an oil tank, providing insight into the architecture and operation of wartime decoys.
Protected designations
- Site of Special Scientific Interest: Hamford Water SSSI
- National Nature Reserve: HAMFORD WATER
- Ramsar wetland: Hamford Water
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
Place summary
World War II bombing decoy HA2 is a memorial located in Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex, in the East of England. It is part of the Hamford Water Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Ramsar site.
AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.
- Coordinates
- 51.8696, 1.2216
- County
- Essex
- District
- Tendring
- Parish
- Thorpe-le-Soken
- Postcode
- CO13 0EZ
- Parliamentary constituency
- Clacton
- Nearest railway station
- Kirby Cross β 3.2 km
- Official site
- historicengland.org.uk
Sources
- osm: n4219510817 (ODbL)
Other places nearby

Skipper's Island
Wildlife reserves Β· 0.3 km

Skipper's Island
Forests & woodlands Β· 0.8 km

Horsey Island
Islands Β· 1.8 km

The Red Lion Public House
Historic pubs Β· 1.8 km

Kirby Le Soken War Memorial
Memorials & monuments Β· 1.9 km

Kirby Le Soken Village Sign
Public art & sculpture Β· 1.9 km

Hamford Water
Natural landmarks Β· 2.5 km

East Coast Distillery
Distilleries Β· 2.5 km

Beaumont Cut
Canals Β· 2.9 km

Beaumont Quay, Hamford Water: a 19th century quay and lime kiln
Marinas Β· 2.9 km

Rose
Museums Β· 3.0 km

Kirby Cross Village Sign
Public art & sculpture Β· 3.1 km
Nearby
Flagshipπ· 5Wildlife reserves Β· East of England
Skipper's Island
Skipper's Island β island off the coast of Essex.
π· 5Forests & woodlands Β· East of England
Skipper's Island
Skipper's Island is a forest or woodland in the United Kingdom.
π· 2Historic pubs Β· East of England
The Red Lion Public House
The Red Lion Public House in England East, United Kingdom.
Memorials & monuments Β· East of England
Kirby Le Soken War Memorial
Kirby Le Soken War Memorial β a memorial in england-east, United Kingdom.
Public art & sculpture Β· East of England
Kirby Le Soken Village Sign
Kirby Le Soken Village Sign β a public art in england-east, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken
Places to stay
Caravan parks Β· East of England
Elm Farm Country Park
Elm Farm Country Park β a caravan park in england east.
Caravan parks Β· East of England
Naze Marine Holiday Park
Naze Marine Holiday Park β a caravan park in england east. Brand: Parkdean Resorts.
Caravan parks Β· East of England
Willows Caravan Park
Willows Caravan Park β a caravan park in england east.
Places to eat & drink
Historic pubs Β· East of England
The Red Lion Public House
The Red Lion Public House in England East, United Kingdom.
π· 5Historic pubs Β· East of England
The Trafalgar Public House
The Trafalgar Public House in England East, United Kingdom.
Historic pubs Β· East of England
The British Flag Public House
The British Flag Public House in England East, United Kingdom.
π· 5Restaurants Β· East of England
Thai Up at the Quay
Thai Up at the Quay β a restaurant in england east.
Restaurants Β· East of England
The Creek
The Creek β a restaurant in england east.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken?
- World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is in Essex, East of England, United Kingdom (postcode CO13 0EZ), in the parish of Thorpe-le-Soken.
- What is World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken?
- World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is a memorial in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken?
- The nearest railway station is Kirby Cross, about 3.2 km away. Drivers can use postcode CO13 0EZ.
- Is World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken a protected site?
- Yes β World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is part of the Hamford Water SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest and the HAMFORD WATER National Nature Reserve.
- Is World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken free to visit?
- Yes, World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken is free to enter.
- How do I get to World War II bombing decoy HA2 Kirby-le-Soken?
- The nearest railway station is Kirby Cross, about 3.2 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode CO13 0EZ.