Holton Heath was chosen as the site for a Naval cordite factory in 1914 as the site was remote yet with good transport connections. The site also has a gradual gradient which helped materials feed between processes using gravity. Holton Heath was primarily used for the production of cordite which is used as a propellant but other explosives such as nitroglycerine and Picrite. The site was immense and surrounded by 3 miles of 12 foot high fencing.
Production continued on site continued through to the end of World War II. It had its own railway station but in order to preserve its location was omitted from contemporary Ordnance Survey maps. During WWII, ‘Starfish’ deception sites were built in an attempt to confuse enemy bombers.
After a number of accidents between the wars, a large bunker was built to provide a safer environment for Nitroglycerine production but this wqs sealed in 1957. When visited by Sub Brit in 2002 a prefabricated bunker used for controlling part of the production was still extant. The bunker was also equipped with seating for use as an air-raid shelter.
The Holton Heath Trading Park now occupies the site.