Abandoned UK village dating back to Domesday Book is reopening next month – but visitors must beware of hidden danger
Imber Village in Salisbury Plain,
Advertisement
8
Imberbus Day will take place on August 16, with the village reopening the following weekend
Credit: PA:Press Association
8
A number of signs warn visitors not to enter the abandoned pub
Credit: PA:Press Association
8
Visitors are also reminded about the risk of 'unexploded military debris'
Credit: Alamy Live News
8
The site has been owned by the Ministry of Defence since 1932
Credit: Alamy
Visiting the village
Next month, from August 23 to 25, the site will be reopening to the public, providing a unique opportunity to explore its empty buildings and abandoned military vehicles.
However, a number of signs around the site warn visitors about a
The signs read: "Danger
Behind the sign, pictures show a disused military tank, as well as a set of tank tracks next to a grassy mound.
Advertisement
Read more News
Getting to the village
The annual bus service,
It includes up to 30 Routemaster buses, as well as other vehicles, that will run from Warminster to Imber, in addition to other villages in Salisbury Plain.
Buses will operate for one day only on a regular service between 10am and 6pm.
Tickets cost £10 for adults and £2 for children and can be used an unlimited amount on the day.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
This gives visitors the opportunity to explore other villages in the area.
The following week Imber village will reopen to the public.
Abandoned golf course where Justin Rose won his first tournament goes up for sale for £3.75m after closing down
History
While
A pub called The Bell Inn still stands.
Advertisement
Other buildings still standing include the manor house, Imber Court, a farmhouse, farm cottages, a small schoolhouse, and four housing blocks built in 1938.
The nearby St Giles' Church dates back to the 13th century and became a Grade I listed building in 1987.
A record of the Wiltshire village in the Domesday Book of 1086 shows it was an isolated community that relied heavily on agriculture.
Having been owned by the Ministry of Defence since 1932, visitors are only welcome at the site for a few days each year.
Advertisement
The opening times usually fall once in the spring, summer, and over the Christmas and New Year period.
In 1943, its population of around 150 was evicted to provide a training ground for American troops during WW2.
The site is still controlled by the Ministry of Defence, despite attempts from some locals to return.
It was last open to the public at Easter, with photos showing the eerie village streets.
Advertisement
8
Around 150 locals were evicted during World War II as the site was used to train American troops
Credit: Alamy
8
Bus routes run across the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire
Credit: Alamy
8
A number of flat blocks built in 1938 can be seen
Credit: Alamy
8
The village also boasts a 13th century, grade I listed church
Credit: Alamy
Advertisement
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
TUI launches ‘extreme day trips' to Lapland from 11 UK airports – including first-time regional base
TUI has launched a new 'extreme day trip' to Lapland for winter 2026. Flying from 11 airports , families can head to Lapland and back with TUI in just a day. Advertisement 4 TUI has launched an 'extreme day trip' to Lapland Credit: Getty 4 Throughout the day, families get to go on sleigh rides and meet Santa Credit: Getty 4 Then on the plane back they even get a Christmas dinner Credit: Getty There will be flights from Cardiff for the first time to Kittila, pandemic . The 'Search for Santa' day trip will see families fly to Kittila, with a traditional cooked English breakfast served to you on the flight. After landing at midday, you'll grab your snowsuit and boots before heading to the Snow Village. At the Snow Village you will be able to see an ice hotel with igloo-inspired rooms, an ice bar, ice chapel and numerous ice sculptures. Advertisement Read more on travel inspo Families will then hop onto a sleigh ride led by Rudolph. After this, you'll head off on another animal-based adventure with a husky-led sleigh ride. And if those rides weren't enough, you'll then be able to explore the snow wonderland more by learning to drive your own snowmobile. Away from the different 'rides', you'll get to meet one of the Lapland locals and listen to stories and legends about the area. Advertisement Most read in News Travel For kids, there are some arts and crafts too. Then the big moment of the day arrives with a magical journey through a snow-covered woodland to meet Santa. My trip to Lapland with TUI Once you have met with Santa and his elves, you'll head back into the snow where you will have some time to build a snowman, ride a sleigh or even start a snowball fight. A little chilly? Well, there is a Advertisement At the end of your 'extreme day trip', you will then be delivered back to the airport by Santa's elves and once airbourne, you will have a Christmas dinner in the sky as you fly home. Flights will run between December 5 and 23, 2026 with departures from London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester , Newcastle , Bristol , East Midlands, Glasgow , Birmingham, Bournemouth, Cardiff and Dublin . Tickets to see Mr Christmas himself don't come cheap though, starting at £750 per person. But every child does get a gift and the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. Advertisement What is LaplandUK like? The Sun's LaplandUK promises to transport children on a magical Christmas adventure without need of a plane or even flying sleigh. Nestled in Whitmoor Forest near Ascot, Berkshire, even the walk through the car park manages to be exciting with lights twinkling in the trees as you approach the cluster of Finnish-style cabins at this magical destination in the woods. It is the fine details that really set this woodland wonderland apart. From the miniature doorways, just for 'small folk' to use, to the beautifully fashioned individualised costumes worn by all the elves- and the big man himself-details are styled to perfection. And the experience of meeting Father Christmas is a far cry from a quick grip and grin at the shopping centre. It was pure joy to watch their jaws drop when Santa started congratulating them on recent achievements and quoting small details about them, thanks to an online form you fill in about each child before you go. Whilst LaplandUK is not a cheap day out, it certainly comprises many activities which would add up considerably for a family of five if you did them separately over the holidays. We enjoyed a top-notch theatre show experience, crafting, skating, a grotto visit and the children came away with two beautiful toys and a lot of amazing memories. There is also a Plus, why you should have a 4 Prices start at £750 per person Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Shortest flights in UK including route that's quicker than making a Pot Noodle
With the kids breaking up for the school summer holidays today, many families will be gearing up to jet off to exotic locations abroad. And while many of us are used to sitting on planes for hours on end to get to our favourite destinations, you can actually take flights from the UK that last just minutes. Advertisement 3 The shortest passenger flight in the entire world is the Loganair flight between Westray and Papa Wrestay Credit: Alamy 3 The flight holds a Guinness World Record 3 Journeys on the tiny plane cost from £8 Credit: Alamy Westray to Papa Westray The Passengers can travel between the two tiny islands in just one and a half minutes, with the record for the fastest flight just 53 seconds. The Tickets will set you back just £8, and the flight is much quicker than the alternative option, a 25 minute ferry. Advertisement Read more travel stories Other Orkney Inter-Island Flights Although the Westray to Papa Westray flight is by far the UK's shortest, there are also a number of other short flights connecting the Orkney Islands. These Loganair flights connect the islands to Kirkwall, Orkney's main hub. For example, Kirkwall to Westray takes between 10 and 15 minutes, and Kirkwall to Sanday takes around 15-20 minutes. London to Channel Islands Anyone looking for a holiday close to home this summer can fly from the capital to the Channel Islands, such as Jersey and Guernsey in around 30-40 minutes. Advertisement Most read in News Travel , the largest of the . Its beaches are well known for their beauty, with a range of landscapes on offer, from wide, open spaces to secluded coves and lunar-like expanses, making it the perfect destination for anyone who isn't a fan of long haul flights. Travel chaos as TWO flights have mid-air emergencies within A MINUTE at major UK airport UK mainland to Isle of Man Another popular tourist destination within the UK is the You can access the island by ferry (as influencer Advertisement Regular flights take off from airports such as Manchester and Liverpool, and take between 30-50 minutes. Flights from mainland Scotland to Scottish Islands Loganair also runs short flights connecting people in other remote Scottish Islands to the mainland. For example, a flight from either Glasgow or Edinburgh to the Outer Hebrides takes around 50 minutes, and a flight from one of the main Scottish cities to Shetland takes approximately one hour. None of these islands are far from the mainland, but due to challenging ferry conditions, are often the preferred option for travellers . Advertisement If you're looking for an adventure a bit more long haul, Qantas has unveiled plans to launch the The non-stop flights are expected to take over 19 hours, and are set to launch in 2026. How to get a free upgrade to first class on a plane Travelers often wonder how to secure an upgrade to first class without paying the premium price. According to a flight attendant, there are several strategies passengers can employ to increase their chances. Firstly, loyalty to an airline is crucial; frequent flyers and those with elite status are more likely to receive upgrades. Additionally, booking directly with the airline rather than through third-party sites can improve your odds, as can being flexible with your travel dates and times. Dressing smartly and arriving early can also make a difference. While airlines generally prioritize upgrades based on status and fare class, a well-dressed passenger who checks in early may catch the staff's attention. It's also beneficial to be polite and friendly to the airline staff, as they have the discretion to upgrade passengers at their own judgment. Lastly, if you're celebrating a special occasion, such as a honeymoon or birthday, it doesn't hurt to mention it. While not guaranteed, some flight attendants might consider this when deciding on upgrades. Overall, while there's no surefire way to get a free upgrade, combining these strategies can certainly improve your chances.
The Irish Sun
11 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Beaches at holiday hotspot visited by 7.9 million Brits per year at risk of disappearing
BEACHES in the popular Spanish city of Barcelona are at risk of disappearing. The swathes of sand are actually man-made, created some 30 years ago when 5 The beaches at Barcelona are eroding quickly Credit: Alamy 5 The man-made beaches are affected by storms, climate change and climbing sea levels Credit: Alamy Around 7.9 million British tourists visited Barcelona in 2024 to explore the But severe winter storms and rising sea levels have seen heavy coastal erosion and there are now fears these In February 2025, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona (AMB) warned that the beaches north of Barcelona have lost about 30,100 square meters of sand in the last five years, according to One of the worst cases is Montgat, a 30minute drive up the coast from Barcelona, which has lost 70 per cent of its beach surface in four years. Read More on Beaches After major storms last year, parts of Montgat were left almost without a beach completely. Lines of rocks were then installed to serve as a breakwater, but there are fears this still won't be enough to protect the beach. One local, Ana García, told One reason for the faster Most read in News Travel Before their creation, the shoreline along Barcelona was gravelly, rocky and not very accessible. For the Olympics in 1992, city authorities used thousands of tonnes of sand to expand its beach front because it thought sandy beaches would appeal to tourists - and they would be proven right. The little-known Spanish beach town that's easy to get to 5 The beaches look completely different now as they used to be gravel rather than sand Credit: Alamy 5 The region of Catalonia is prone to damaging storms Credit: Alamy The beaches are thought to bring in around £52million each year in tourist income. Over the last 20 years, the rate of erosion along the east coast of Spain has done nothing but speed up. In an effort to maintain the coastline, the beaches have been topped up with fresh sand every spring imported from other areas. But due to the rate of erosion, enhancing beaches by replacing the sand in this way is not having a long-term impact. It is completely possible that without major intervention, the beaches in Barcelona and beyond could disappear. Solutions proposed include creating sand dunes to protect the precious beaches. But it's not just Spain that is facing a beach erosion crisis, it's happening right here in the UK. The Holderness Coast, where the Barmston Beach sits, is the Last year, the Between Barmston and Fraisthorpe, erosion reached up to five meters in some parts of the coast last year. Barmston Beach has been directly affected and has lost its Here are the And one of 5 The beaches at Barcelona are at risk of disappearing Credit: Alamy
