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Daily Mirror
26-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned UK village in the middle of nowhere left to rot for 80 years
A school building still stands with children's name pegs and examples of their work on the walls in what remains a poignant reminder of a village that once was Once home to thousands of residents, Tyneham in Dorset has been abandoned for over 80 years with many of its buildings completely untouched. Dubbed as Dorset's 'lost' village, Tyneham became a ghost town following an order that told residents to leave their homes by the British Army during the Second World War in 1943. A place with many memories is now used for army training exercises. According to Inside Dorset, a total of 225 residents from 102 properties were forced to up and leave, and given just 28 days to seek alternative accommodation in November 1943. The last residents left the following month, thinking they'd be able to return. Sadly, that never happened. The village is now owned by the Ministry of Defence, and it's often closed to the public except during the weekends and public holidays. From Monday to Friday, its doors closed to allow training ground for the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School. The many homes holding dear memories have been badly damaged - but the village still stands. The church and the school buildings are still in great condition, and as per the site, there are still pegs with names of the children who attended the school, as well as examples of their school work. Abandoned for decades, the village still has a lot of history, going back to Iron Age Britain. Tyneham was once known for its salt-boiling, shale-turning and Purbeck Marble industries, which were important resources in the area. People can still visit Tyneham and it's free of charge but they are encouraged to leave donations at the car park to help fund the ongoing conversation work. Visitors can walk the old village and look at life as it once was, but there's nothing in place to resemble modern life. There aren't any shops, cafés or restaurants open, but there are designated picnic areas near the car park and at Tyneham Fam, where some of the buildings have been restored. Because Tyneham and Worbarrow are part of the Ministry of Defence Lulworth Ranges, which are known to be a living fire range, visitors have to stay within the safe zones. Still, it's a great place to visit, providing a unique experience by walking around areas once known for their liveliness. Worbarrow is only 20 minutes away from Tyneham by car and is also part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Spot. Since it's not overcrowded with tourists, it's the perfect place for those looking to reconnect with nature and simply relax.
Daily Mirror
07-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned wartime village frozen in time where empty terrace houses rot
The whole village of Tyneham in Dorset was evacuated during the World War II, but today the abandoned village still remains and visitors can explore its deserted street and the memories left behind Tucked away on the Dorset coast lies a village where time stopped in 1943 and never restarted. Tyneham in Dorset was evacuated during World War II in December 1943, when the War Office took over the land to make space for Army training. Around 225 people were told to pack up and leave their homes within days. The residents believed it would only be temporary and they would return one day. Residents left a note on the church door reading - "Please treat the church and houses with care; we have given up our homes where many of us lived for generations to help win the war to keep men free. We shall return one day and thank you for treating the village kindly.' Despite the war ending in 1945, the residents were never allowed to reclaim their homes, and Tyneham remained under Army control - and it still is. The village became part of a British Army training site, used to test tanks and weapons. To this day, it's owned by the Ministry of Defence and forms part of the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School. However Tyneham isn't the only local village absorbed into a Army training ground; Worbarrow Bay and Lulworth ranges are grounds that remain active to this day. The land is still used for the Armoured Fighting Vehicles Gunnery School, a live fire training school - which is why the area is only open to the public on selected weekends and bank holidays. When they allow visitors to explore what remains of the village, it's like stepping back in time. Although many of the buildings have crumbled, there are still preserved fragments of Tyneham's past. The old schoolhouse and church have been carefully restored and today holds exhibitions about the people who once lived there with photos and letters. A row of terraced cottages, known as The Row, still stands near the church. Some buildings have crumbled, but others remain hauntingly still - like they're waiting for their owners to come home. There's also a restored farm area with picnic benches, surrounded by broken walls and fading signs of village life. Tyneham is often called 'Dorset's lost village', and it's easy to see why. It's quiet, eerie, and frozen in the past - a snapshot of a community that vanished almost overnight. Tyneham is more than a village lost to war. It's a time capsule - a stark reminder of the sacrifices of war and what's left behind when history moves on without you. For those planning a visit, it's best to check the opening times online. The village, nearby Worbarrow Bay and the Lulworth Ranges are all part of a live military zone. The exact dates are listed on the Government website. If you're after a day out that's a little different and don't mind a few goosebumps - Tyneham offers a rare glimpse into wartime Britain, frozen in time. Although visitors often say it gives them goosebumps, especially when reading notes left behind by children or seeing the school's original blackboard.
