The Lost Village Of Tyneham In Dorset
The forced abandonment of a complete village in Dorset during 1943 was regarded as vital for the success of D Day.
In creating this lost village of Tyneham it is now for some either a place of pilgrimage or a place for researching social and military history of Dorset.
Tyneham village Dorset.
This tiny rural and coastal hamlet found itself in the way of an expanding military training and firing range on the South coast of England.
Hurriedly the residents were moved out. In December 1943 the Army came into use the whole area for the build up to June 6th 1944.
After the war the residents pleaded to be able to return. Although the military found the whole area still vital for training. And the village remained within the military tank training and firing area of Lulworth to this day.
The Lost Village Of Tyneham Remains In Military Hands
The only visitors it sees now are combat troops and numerous range safety staff. Their job is to keep the military and civilians away from the lines of fire from Challenger tanks.
The Lulworth ranges in action with a Challenger tank firing.
Which can be seen blasting their shells at targets into the hill behind the village.
However, most weekends and during main holiday periods access is still open. Exploring this lost village which has information boards scattered around.
Tumbledown but now a village on hold.
The school and the church are in excellent condition.
The remaining close knit of cottages and former homes are in a tumbled down, but now a stable state.
Aerial close up view of Tyneham village Dorset.
One line of cottages was where the Post Office was located. During the times of the 1940s the hamlet would have been very remote.
The school in Tyneham village Dorset.
The nearest small towns of Wareham in one direction and Swanage in another were around 8 miles distant.
Corfe Castle was around 5 miles. Other small villages were 2 miles away at least. But those too were not much bigger than Tyneham itself then.
The drive to the village takes you high on the Purbeck Hills. From the top there are excellent views of the Jurassic coast around Lulworth. Also east and over the sprawling flat heath land that runs to the edge of Poole Harbour.
St Mary’s Church Tyneham Dorset.
A car park gives plenty of space for parking and a small charge of £2 is requested for visitors.
Tyneham’s story is told by former residents as you tour the homes and especially the school.
Former Residents Are Still Remembered
Names of those that once lived or worked there are recorded in a number of ways within the school itself or on illustrated boards inside some of the homes.
Some of the remaining cottages in Tyneham village Dorset.
Poignant for me was to see the name of a former colleague dotted around the school and in the village street. He was thought to be last resident alive from Tyneham.
Arthur Grant, whom I knew way back in the 1980s. He was a photographer based in Wareham and I often worked alongside him at media events in and around the Purbeck areas.
Arthur Grant in 1927.
He often spoke of his love for Tyneham. Had he been able to return later and then owning a modern car the village would not have been seen as so remote as it appeared to him during the war?
As a place to grow up as a child, for him it it was perfect. Plenty of places to explore in the hills and woods or down to the coast at nearby Worbarrow Bay.
Following his death in 2010 his ashes were allowed to be interred in the cemetery of St Mary’s church in Tyneham.
Remote Catering Thanks To The Salt Pig
Recently introduced under the banner of ‘The Salt Pig’ brand is a mobile pop-up coffee and catering truck in the form of a former horse box.
Providing first class drinks and snacks.
Fine food from Salt Pig.
“When the ranges are open, we are open is the mantra”.
The enthusiastic woman operating the catering facility was keen to point out that by 10am the coffee machine would be hot and ready to start serving!
Tyneham the lost village found some great catering.
An impressive range of luscious home cooked cakes, chunky pies and meatier snacks were ready too.
Being as remote as Tyneham is this facility is a great asset. It is really nice to know that the entrepreneurship of one organisation has now created a first class service for tourists and local visitors.
Here as we were to enjoy in the wilds and the stunning coast of Dorset to be found around Tyneham. A village lost and locked into the time of 1943!
