The village of Tyneham in Dorset was abandoned in 1943 when the British military requisitioned it during World War II, and the residents were never able to return Share this article Share this article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy link Link copied Bookmark this Comment
An abandoned village in Dorset is a unique testament to Britain's wartime heritage, a disturbing relic that still lingers in memory. Tragic events forced locals to abandon their beloved homes many years ago.
A trip to the village of Tyneham, on Dorset's beautiful Jurassic Coast, is like stepping back in time, offering visitors an insight into the lives of locals who were forced to abandon their village during World War II.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
According to the Mirror, 1943 was a turning point in the fortunes of the thriving community of Tyneham. At the height of World War II, the British military commandeered the village for training.
The decision meant that the distraught residents were given just a month's notice to leave homes that had been home to large families for generations. The military government took over the village of Tyneham and its surrounding area to create a training centre for Allied troops, located next to the Lulworth training ground.
The locals believed they were sacrificing their homes for the good of their country, hoping to return after the war. A message was posted at the entrance to the church: “Please take care of the church and the houses. We left our homes, where many of us had lived for generations, to help win the war and preserve freedom. We will return one day and thank you for your kindness to the village.”
Unfortunately, the residents of Tyneham were never able to return to their homes even after the end of World War II, as the village and its surrounding area continued to be used for military training.
Today, almost 80 years later, the village appears frozen in time, offering a thought-provoking, “exciting and fascinating” tourist attraction. It is open seasonally, offering visitors “a fascinating insight into the lives of local people.” Outside of these hours, the gates that prevent access are locked each evening at nightfall.
A review from one visitor on TripAdvisor says: “This abandoned village has such a fascinating history. The plaques in the church telling of the locals’ struggle to return to the village and the current state of affairs are very touching.” Another TripAdvisor review describes the place as “wonderful – very atmospheric and sad, but at the same time makes you want to come back again and again.”
Tyneham's last resident, Peter Wellman, passed away in April this year aged 100. The centenarian last visited the village in 2024 to see the place where he was born and raised.
On his last visit to Tyneham in 2024, Peter reminisced about his childhood. He told the Dorset Echo: “We had no electricity, no gas, no running water – we had to pump water from the tap outside the church. I remember going to the beach to fish and often catching mackerel. We were happy until we were evicted.”
The village of Tyneham, located on the Isle of Purbeck, is not actually an island, but a peninsula bordering the English Channel in Dorset.
Read more
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email address
We use your registration to deliver content in ways you have consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include advertising from us and third parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. See our Privacy Policy.
Sourse: www.express.co.uk
