En-route we decided to stop off at Tyneham in Dorset, a small abandoned village nestled amongst the Purbeck Hills, only a few miles from the sea, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door.
It was rather tricky to find... our sat nav couldn't locate it, all maps are a bit vague to is precise location and it cannot be seen from the main road. The only clue to its exsitance is the sign on the road proclaimng "village open"!
Tyneham's history dates back to the Iron Age, when fishing communities once resided there. It also has connections with William the Conqueror who gave the local land to his brother, the Earl of Mortain.
However, the most memorable time in Tyneham's history began towards just before Christmas 1943, when the village and 7,500 acres of surrounding heath and downland were commandeered by the War Office to be used as firing ranges for training troops. Altogether, 252 people were displaced.
This was supposed to be a temporary arrangement during WWII, but in 1948 the army placed a compulsory purchase order on the land and it has remained in use for military training ever since. The villagers were not allowed to return to their homes, but were given new accomodation. After the war, many of the villagers launched campaigns and demonstrations, but to no avail. Since that time Tyenham has remained uninhabbited and frozen in time. Many of the buildings still stand in various states of disrepair, some have been restored like the church and school, however some, such as the 'Great House' have been lost forever.
For me the most poingnant feature in the village was the perfectly preserved K1 phone box, which was only installed a short while before the village's evacuation. Original war posters can be seen in place inside along with the original phone, complete with "A" and "B" buttons. It must have been such a thrill for this rural and removed village to finally have direct and immediate contact with the outside world, all be it briefly.
I found my visit to the village very moving, espacially when I read the note that the villagers left the Military upon evactuation...
'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.'
Upon reading this, knowing that they were never allowed to return and to see the village as it is now really hit me and I had a bit of a sob... Chas called me daft, so I ate his spare sandwich... ha!
Here are some more piccies...
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
 |
| Chas inside one of the derelict homes... it was so sad, and really touching as each house had a plaque with pictures of the familes who once lived there |
 |
| The church |
 |
| The old post office |
16 comments:
Gosh how very eerie. I have some relatives in Devon, I will have to do a de-tour next time we visit! x
wow, what a place that must be. Too bad I didn't go there whilst staying with family in Devon about a decade ago. Next time!
Yes, so eerie, but so interesting too. I really want to visit now.
(Lovely blog by the way, found it via iwillmakedoandmend.blogspot.com, glad I did!)
How terribly sad - poor families. People then were not nearly so mobile as we are now, were they, so being removed from your village must have been really frightening.
Incredibly noble of them all to sacrifice the community they'd built together for the greater good. I couldn't see that happening in modern times! Noted that I should visit - I think I'd find it very moving too, so shall pack extra sandwiches...
Miss P xx
Oh wow, how terribly sad.I would have wept too. Men are cold! x
how sad! I've never heard of this place, so many sacrifices are made during war that people have no idea about don't they?
You have just added another place to visit to my long list! I did know of this place - through reading a book about it ages ago - errrrrrm... no.. can't remember what it was called... pants. But I had no idea you could go and visit :)
Yes - I would have got upset too. Then again - I got upset at one of the old ladies eating Rabbit Stew on "turn back time - the highstreet" in the 40's episode and saying how much she enjoyed it. Lord only knows what I would have been like there. Sectionable most likely.
LandGirl... was it the lovely old lady who said she had bno rations left in the blue cardi? If so... so did I! She is an absolute dear, I love her!
I went to visit Tyneham when I lived in Dorset. It is a very eerie place I think, and it does, unsurprisingly, have a melancholy air about it. I wasn't too keen on what had been done with regards restoration inside the church. Definately well worth a visit though x
What an interesting post. This is definitely a place I'd love to visit. I love the concept of something being frozen in time and untouched all these years.
I love that lady too! What silly fools we are…….
It’s now on my list of places to visit and when I do go- hankies will be at the ready.
Torcross was another place evacuated- for the practicing of the D-Day landings but luckily the residents got to go back….. I was shown a hotel book thingy (what’s it called- minds gone blank) and all it said in it was the date and in the comments column said ‘hotel requisitioned or commandeered’ can’t remember which but same thing….. Tups x
lovely x hivennn.
I'd have cried too!
In fact I welled up a little reading your post.
I have heard of the village, but never visited or seen any pictures. If I ever get around to going back in that direction on holiday I'll try and pay it a visit.
I've always wanted to visit the village since I saw a feature about it on 'Countryfile'. Its very sad though, having to leaves one's house and all the memories in it.
BTW - I've chosen your great blog for an award, check out my post on:
http://thevintageknitter.blogspot.com
Hello Gem - I just found you via Fleur's blog, and it has made me feel like a complete dope. I had seen your blog mentioned in loads of the ones I already follow, but I thought it was a cooking blog so never even came over to check! I feel like a right moron now, have started following quicksmart.
ps Go for the Brooksie bob, definitely. I have a book on LB at home, really need to get around to reading it.
Post a Comment