In 1943 the civilian population of Imber Village was evacuated to make way for American troops preparing for the D Day landings at the end of the Second World War. The villagers were told they would be able to return once hostilities were over. They never did. Imber is now an eerie ghost village and a fascinating time capsule. It lies within the Salisbury Plain military training area. Just a couple of times a year the authorities allow people to visit the village. This year August bank holiday weekend is one of these occasions.

Imber is situated in an isolated part of the plain about two and a half miles west of the A360 road between Tilshead and West Lavington. The history of the village dates back to Saxon times and it is recorded in the Domesday book. In the census of 1851, the population peaked at 440 but by 1943 it had shrunk to around 150. The army began using Salisbury Plain for training before the first world war and by 1932 the military owned almost all the surrounding farmland and most of the houses. Despite this the village was still thriving with two churches, a pub, a school and a blacksmiths.

Abandoning the village

In November 1943 the villagers were called to a meeting in the school room and given just 47 days to leave their homes. They had to be out by Christmas. The villagers were not offered alternative accommodation or money to buy new housing. The army promised that they could return in six months.

Despite several legal challeneges,this never hapened and the site was used to train soldiers for deployment in Northern Ireland. The millitary have even built more houses for training purposes a short distance away.

Whilst in Imber village you can visit St. Giles church. The church which is maintained by the church conservation trust is the only building that is open.

You can view the other buildings from the outside, the school, The Bell Inn (sadly no longer open) and several cottages and houses. The village is now in a semi-derelict state after sixty years of abandonment. Walking through the village is quite an atmospheric experience. Local people put on cream teas.

St. Giles church was built in the thirteenth century, and an impressive tower with five pinnacles was added a hundred years later. Inside, the church is bare of furniture, which allows the architecture to be appreciated. There are medieval wall paintings, including one of the seven deadly sins.

Special buses will be running from Warminster station for the event. Old photos give some idea of what life in the village was like and what remains. Friends who have visited the site describe it as a very moving experience.