Report - Imber Abandoned Village, Salisbury Plain Ranges Jan 2011

[Maggot]

Had a wander round Imber just after New Years.

Imber is an uninhabited village in part of the British Army's training grounds on the Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire. It is situated in an isolated area of the Plain, approximately 4 km west of the A360 main road between Tilshead and West Lavington, accessible only by military tracks. The entire civilian population was evicted in 1943 to provide an exercise area for American troops preparing for the invasion of Europe during the Second World War. After the war villagers were not allowed to return to their homes. The village, which is still classed as an urban entity, remains under the control of the Ministry of Defence despite several attempts by former residents to return. Non-military access is limited to several open days a year. (text from Wikipedia)

"Building 21"

Stairs inside

Arch upstairs in Building 21

Building at West end of village... I was told it used to be the Bell Pub

Fireplace in pub

Looking through a hole in the wall

Terrace of houses

Squaddies' Graffiti in terrace

Imber Court

Not getting in here then

Off to Church. This is a Grade 1 listed building dating from the 13th Century, as such has been spared the ravages of the squaddies.

Memorial

Graffiti in the porch dating back to 1653

Medieval wall painting. I'm sure that's Mickey Mouse in the top centre, though.

Medieval Bell Ringing instructions

Going Batz in ur belfryz

Imber from Church Tower Circa 1920, and Present Day

Hope this 1st trip report is alright, t'was a nice day out

 

[Maggot]

I've always found Imber quite uninspiring. But, that's some of the best pictures from Imber I've seen, because you've got some of the detail really well. Got any more?

Thanks for the feedback. I don't have many more pictures, these were the best ones IMHO but here's the rest from the trip...

Attic of Pub

Lookout post on corner of Imber Court wall

Leftover from exercises

Yer Tiz (Behind building 21).
Think the one with the door is the Ladies'

1880 Barn

Crumbly Tombstonez

More 17c graffiti in church

Odd to see one of the bells was cast in 2003, but after further reading the bells were removed in 1943, and only replaced last year as part of the conservation programme

View East from Church Tower (1880 barn in centre of pic)

That's the lot
The longer I stayed, the more uninspired I was getting - when I arrived the temperature was 0.5 C, when I left it was -3 and starting to snow, I was glad I had a flask of nice hot soup