Tyneham is considered a “ghost village” as it has been completely devoid of people since 1943, during the height of World War II.
Additionally, it is known locally as the “lost village.” The village is situated in a remote valley between the Purbeck and Dorset hills in the southwest of England.
An old public telephone box in the village
The village has a very ancient history, with traces of settlements from many past civilizations. Archaeological findings indicate that people have lived here since the Iron Age and into the Roman period. The village also features an ancient church dedicated to St. Mary, built in the 15th century.
However, no one lives in the village today, as all residents left in 1943 due to an evacuation.
The church in Tyneham
The area’s terrain is considered ideal for military exercises. When the U.S. Army arrived here during World War II, they established several new bases. Given the situation, along with concerns for the safety of civilians during the war, they requested that the villagers leave and resettle elsewhere.
A total of 7,500 acres (over 3,000 hectares) were requisitioned by the British War Department just before Christmas in 1943.
Sadly, this meant that many residents would lose their homes, but many held hope that they could return one day. Among the approximately 225 people who left Tyneham, one resident left a message on the church door for the occupying forces:
“Please take great care of the church and the homes; we have left our homes – where our families have lived for generations – to help win the battle for freedom for mankind.
We will return one day, and thank you for treating the village kindly.“
However, the former residents of Tyneham never returned to the village. After the war, many settled in new homes in Wareham, located six miles (about 10 km) away.
The former residents of Tyneham never returned to the village.
Yet, some were unwilling to accept this and desired to come back. There was even a protest demanding the right to return to Tyneham.
A public inquiry was conducted in 1948 to address the matter. Eventually, a compulsory purchase order was issued, and the village land came under the ownership of the British Ministry of Defence from that point on.
Many campaigns continued to push for the return of the evacuees to Tyneham. However, there was no consensus among the campaigners, authorities, and the Ministry of Defence.
Regardless, the houses in the village gradually fell into disrepair and became uninhabitable after being used as military training grounds for an extended period. Most of the historic buildings dating back to the 14th century were demolished in 1967 by the British Ministry of Construction at that time.
The abandoned village has become a tourist attraction
Today, the village remains uninhabited and serves as a tourist destination. Many curious visitors come to experience the atmosphere preserved since 1943, fortunate to find several houses in relatively good condition.
