World War II
At least two BBC TV programmes have claimed that the site of Waverley Abbey formed part of the defences of London set up in World War II. The defence was called the "GHQ Line". These claims are at least partly supported by the brick gun emplacement forming one side of the car park, and the multitude of tank traps along the bank of the River Wey at the back of the abbey. It was said that the large open space, formed by the curve of the river on one side and the lake on the other, was intended to be a "tank killing ground" for any German army intending to outflank London's defences.
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