MOD Kineton

Defence Munitions (DM) Kineton occupies the site officially known as MOD Kineton, and is a Ministry of Defence property located close to the village of Kineton, Warwickshire, England.

MOD Kineton
DM Kineton / Marlborough Barracks
Kineton, Warwickshire in England
A distant view of MOD Kineton
Site information
Type	Ammunition depository
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Location
MOD Kineton Shown within Warwickshire
Coordinates	52.1633°N 1.4439°W / 52.1633; -1.4439
Site history
Built	1941 (1941)
In use	1941–present

Part of the extensive rail network that exists around MoD Kineton, here a level crossing at Radway

The site is also known as Kineton Station and Marlborough Barracks.^[1]

History

Developed from 1941 onwards on land neighbouring the village of Burton Dassett, the site is approximately 10 miles (16 km) from both Banbury and Leamington Spa. Developed as a Central Ammunition Depot, it also served during the Second World War as a Royal Pioneer Corps camp.^[2]

Defence Munitions Kineton is now the largest ammunition depot in western Europe. The base stores more than 60% of the entire Ministry of Defence’s munitions.^[3]

Rail links

Defence Munitions Kineton extends to 2200 acres. It is linked to the Network Rail mainline system by a branch line consisting of part of the former mainline of the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway, from Fenny Compton. The building of the M40 motorway cut the line for a time, but after a new bridge was built, the line was rebuilt in its entirety with deep ballast and fully welded joints.^[4]

Based units

The site also houses the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Munitions and Search Training Regiment, and there is an extensive military family married quarters patch at Temple Herdewyke, along with its associated information centre, Kineton HIVE.^[5]