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Tyneham is a ghost village in Dorset that was evacuated in World War 2, and it has remained abandoned ever since.

In 1943, all village residents were ordered to leave within 28 days by the British government, as they wanted to use its land as a military training area.

Some people went to live with relatives, while others took 'temporary' accommodation elsewhere.

The residents were told they would eventually be able to return after the war, but that promise was never fulfilled.

As a result, Tyneham has remained a ghost village ever since, many of the buildings have fallen into disrepair or were extensively damaged by shelling.

The abrupt evacuation caused significant distress, as people had to leave behind their familiar surroundings, belongings, and often their livelihoods.

Tyneham was a tight-knit community, and the sudden separation from neighbors and friends added to the emotional strain.

The loss of community connections and the support network they provided was a significant blow.

It was particularly difficult for children, who had to continue their education in unfamiliar schools.

Tyneham remained under military control after the war, despite the government promising the locals that they could return home.

This broken promise deepened the villagers’ sense of loss and betrayal.

Although littered with scrap used as targets and subject to regular shelling, Tyneham has today become a haven for wildlife as it has been free from farming and development.

The Ministry of Defence now owns the village, Worbarrow Bay, and Lulworth Ranges, so access to the area is limited for operational and safety reasons.

Typically, they are open on weekends and public holidays, but for precise opening dates, times, and additional information, visitors should check the Gov.uk website.

You can still see some of the original buildings at Tyneham - The Row was a row of four terraced houses, numbered from the higher end nearest the church.

In 1967, much of the manor house, however, parts of which dated back to the 14th century, was demolished by the Ministry of Works.

The east front of the building was reconstructed at Athelhampton, while smaller sections were relocated to Melcombe Horsey and Bingham's Melcombe.

The church of St. Mary, however, has remained mostly intact, featuring a stained-glass window by Martin Travers and memorials to the Bond family.

Although the 17th-century pulpit was moved to Lulworth Camp and the church plate to Kimmeridge, the church and schoolhouse have been preserved as museums.

Both the church, school, and a drinking fountain are now Grade II listed buildings.

In 2008, Tyneham Farm reopened to the public, and conservation efforts there are ongoing.

Tyneham was not the only village evacuated during World War II.

Across the UK, numerous towns and villages were evacuated, particularly in coastal and strategic areas due to military needs or bomb threats.

Other notable examples of evacuated villages include Imber in Wiltshire and parts of several towns along the southeast coast, where the government feared German invasion.

Dorset's coastal location and the presence of military bases, airfields, and ports made it strategically important, particularly in preparation for D-Day.

These areas were used for live-fire exercises, amphibious landings, and mock battles, helping soldiers prepare for the challenges of invading enemy-held beaches.

The geography of Dorset’s coastline, with its cliffs and shingle beaches, provided realistic conditions for training troops to storm beaches under fire.

One of the most famous military operations in Dorset was Exercise Smash in 1944, a full-scale rehearsal for the D-Day invasion.

It involved thousands of troops, tanks, and ships practicing beach landings near Studland Bay, Dorset.

These rehearsals were vital for the eventual success of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, when Allied forces stormed the French coast to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.

The Royal Navy also used Dorset’s waters for naval training and manoeuvring exercises, with places like Portland Harbour being heavily involved in naval operations.

Other locations along the Dorset coast were used to train soldiers in anti-aircraft defence, artillery, and other key combat skills.

While Dorset did not suffer the devastating bombing experienced by cities like London, its coastal areas were critical in preparing Allied forces for one of the most important operations of the war.

Today, Tyneham can be a bit challenging to locate since it's not well signposted and doesn't have a postcode for satnav.

We recommend taking the A35, then the A351 towards Swanage.

Shortly after Wareham, turn right and follow the signs for Creech/Kimmeridge, and then Tyneham. The turn-off for Tyneham village and Worbarrow Bay will be on your left.

Entry into the village is free of charge.

Someone who recently visited the village said: “We found the ruined buildings of the abandoned village very moving. Each house has a poster giving photos and information of the inhabitants.

”The buildings are roofless apart from the church and the school house. These two buildings are museums.

”The schoolhouse has a recreation of a classroom from the 1930s and includes the poignant named coat pegs of the pupils.

”We only had time for a short visit but I am sure you could spend at least a couple of hours exploring.”

During your visit, Tyneham Beach at Worbarrow Bay is a fantastic spot to explore while visiting the intriguing village.

It’s dog-friendly too, so feel free to bring your furry friend for a fun day out in Dorset!

The beach is just a one-mile walk from the village, and along the way, you'll enjoy stunning views over Worbarrow Bay before reaching the shingle and sand.

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