Okehampton Range: Observation Post 15, Okement Hill

• Period: 20th century (date not recorded)
• Built of: Natural stone walls, reinforced concrete roof on steel joists, earth and turf
• Status: Still standing
• Grid reference: SX 60254 87767

Observation Post 15 stands on Okement Hill, just north of the range's "Q" datum point, at the southern end of the old Circular Road. It is the same design as OP 17: a shelter with natural stone walls and a reinforced concrete roof carried on steel joists, with a half-height concrete blast wall standing apart from it along the front. Earth and turf cover it, with granite retaining walls on three sides. The 2002 survey of the range noted that only a thin covering was left on the roof, probably worn away by the wind.

Dartefacts calls it the best known of the observation posts. The Circular Road, also called the Ring Road, was open to public vehicles until 2009 and gave much quicker access to places such as Cranmere Pool. A 1997 photograph on Geograph describes the post as one of the preferred parking places and a starting point for short walks towards Cranmere Pool. OP 16 is about 700 m to the north-east.

The post is inside the Okehampton live-firing area. Check the firing programme and the flags before you go, and keep out when firing is on. The other posts, and the history of the range, are on the Okehampton Range page.