A ‘GHOST’ village will open to visitors next weekend and it’s one of the rare chances to see it.
After being suddenly abandoned during World War Two, the village has been left empty for over 80 years.
Imber in Wiltshire is only open a few days out of the year after its residents were suddenly evacuated during World War Two.
The 150 people living in Imber were given just 47 days to pack up and leave their homes, which at the time was then turned into a military site for American soldiers.
The homeowners were told they could return to their homes after the war, but they never did as it’s remained in use by the Ministry of Defence.
The village is closed for most of the year, but there are rare days where it opens to the public.
The next open day is actually in just a few days’ time.
On August 15, curious Brits can see the village for themselves and the only way to get there is onboard a vintage bus.
Called Imberbus, around 30 vintage red buses take to the roads ferrying visitors to and from the village.
Admittedly, there isn’t much to do in the village as it has been abandoned, but it is worth a wander about.
The church and the village pub are the only two original structures that are still standing.
Imber Church will be open to visitors and will have light food and drink from 10am to 6pm.
Visitors must stick to the path though – the road through Imber is open to the public.
But all other buildings, fields and land are strictly out of bounds due to dangers like unexploded miltary debris.
The village has no Wi-Fi or mobile phone signal either.
Buses will start from Warminster Rail Station and run to Imber every 10-15 minutes between 9.30am and 5.45pm.
Tickets cost £10 for adults £2 for children and visitors don’t need to book in advance, just turn up on the day.
Here’s what one man made when he visited Imber…
Daniel Puddicombe, who visited the English village two yearsagogd revealed what he made of the rarely open village…
“AT first glance, Imber could be any village in the Wiltshire countryside.
“It has a pretty and well-kept church, and when I visited on Saturday afternoon, the sun was shining and people were sat on a patch of grass tucking into picnic nibbles while listening to a brass band.
“But I then spot the barbed wire surrounding the church gardens and nearby are numerous signs reading “Danger. No public access”.
“Things get even stranger as I stroll down a path leading to the main road where I can see a few houses. They all look normal at first but then I realise they do not have any windows or doors.
“Oh, and there’s another warning sign: “Danger: unexploded military debris. Do not leave the carriageway”. It turns out I won’t be able to contact the outside world if danger does arise. My mobile phone signal is non-existent.
“Signs show where farms and houses once stood, now replaced by mock-up buildings that are normally used by the military to train soldiers.
“All in all, the church — which dates from the 12th century — is the only original building that remains fully intact and does not contain any “danger” signs.
“Imber Court also remains intact — albeit behind a large, closed gate and clearly a shadow of its former self, ditto the Bell Inn.
“Even if you are not a bus fan, the journey to Imber is fascinating.
“You pass burnt-out husks of tanks and military bases through landscape that has been untouched by modern farmers — though it might have been smashed to smithereens by a tank or shell.”