The village was deserted in 1943 when 150 residents were forced out so it could be turned into a military training area
Tom van Klaveren and Isobel Williams, SWNS
06:00, 04 Jan 2026
Imber was vacated in 1943 so it could be converted into a military training ground(Image: SWNS)
Step inside the ‘ghost’ village that was evacuated 82 years ago to support the battle against the Nazis.
Imber in Wiltshire was vacated in 1943 when all inhabitants were compelled to leave their homes so it could be converted into a military training ground for soldiers.
Around 150 villagers were issued 47 days’ notice to leave under assurances that they would be permitted to return after World War Two.
Yet, more than 80 years on, the settlement remains under Ministry of Defence (MoD) control with the public granted access for just 12 days annually.
This comprises Easter, a summer day, a carol service shortly before Christmas, and this week – when roads will be accessible from 8am on December 29 until 08:00am on January 2.
The public are granted access to Imber on just 12 days a year(Image: SWNS)
Whilst many of the original dwellings have deteriorated over time, the original structures of the Grade I-listed St Giles Church and the former pub still stand.
Custodian Neil Skelton, 77, from Wilton reports that the church consistently welcomes substantial numbers of visitors each year and will be open from 11:00am to 4pm daily.
Entry is free during open days, with any contributions going towards the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT) for upkeep and restoration work.
He said: “We do get a lot of visitors. In the summer on the bus day we had about 4,000 visitors and over the bank holiday we had 3,000.
“Some people come every time it is open because they feel they should come. People come out of interest for the history. It can get quite busy in the church, some days you can’t move because there are so many people there.
“It is very important from the point of view of sites of special scientific interest and of course the wildlife here is quite extensive. No one has lived in Imber for 82 years now, so time has stood still.”
Whilst many of the original dwellings have deteriorated over time, the original structures of the Grade I-listed St Giles Church still stands(Image: SWNS)
Neil spent three decades working for the CCT before retiring in 2008, subsequently volunteering as custodian of the abandoned church. He relishes the tranquillity of the deserted village whilst also enjoying the bustling open days.
The church generates between £15,000 and £20,000 annually through sales of refreshments and merchandise. Neil added: “When I offered to take it on as a volunteer they couldn’t believe their luck.
“I just love the atmosphere and I have always had a soft spot for the little church. I just enjoy being there. It is a good church with a lot of history.
“It all stems from back in 1964 when I was 16 years old and I cycled to Imber all the way from Salisbury and back in one day. It captured my imagination.
“Being a bell ringer, I always thought this was one church I was never going to ring bells at, but we put bells back in in 2010 so I fulfilled that ambition.”
The settlement remains under Ministry of Defence (MoD) control(Image: SWNS)
Most of the original cottages have been destroyed, Neil explains, as their thatched roofs allowed water penetration, whilst others sustained significant damage during military exercises. Most other properties are either gutted shells or contemporary, windowless structures constructed as sets for military exercises.
Despite its ghost-town atmosphere, Neil describes the village as actually a lovely and peaceful place to work.
He added: “When there is nobody about it is lovely. I often go on my own and I love it, it’s a lovely peaceful place to be. The training area is very big, it is about the size of the Isle of Wight.
“I enjoy meeting people, I have a good team of volunteers and we all work together very well.”