Everything you need to know to visit to this unique Wiltshire village on Salisbury Plain
Wiltshire is full of beautiful and interesting places, but Imber villlage is really something special. Why? Because it is the ‘ghost village’ of Salisbury Plain, having stood empty since the 1940’s.
With the church at the centre and winding lanes linking up a mix of old and new buildings, seeing Imber from a distance, youād think it was just like any other rural village. But this village is empty and it sits in the heart of a vast military training area.
For this reason, Imber village is usually closed to the public. However, on a handful of days each year, the Ministry of Defence grants access, making this most unique thing to do in Wiltshire open to all.
This post is your complete guide to visiting Imber Village- when you can visit, how to find it & what to expect.
Plan Your Imber Village Visit
The History of Imber Village
First of all, a little bit of background. How did a pretty rural village on Salisbury Plain become a ghost village within a military training area? Well, the short answer is World War Two.
Imber started out life as a typical English country village. Life revolved around St Giles church and the manor house of Imber Court.
The story of how Imber became a ghost village really starts in the 1920ās, when the War Office began buying up land and renting it back to farmers. By the 1930ās, although life in the village and on the neighbouring farms carried on as normal, the War Office owned it all.
This meant that in 1943, when the War Office called the villagers to a meeting and gave them 47 days notice to leave, there was nothing they could do. Every Imber village resident was evicted.
The village was absorbed into a training area for troops preparing for the Allied invasion of Europe.The residents of the village believed they’d return after the war, but were never allowed to.
Imber remains part of the Salisbury Plain Training Area. This means the area is often home to to troops, tanks and lots of live firing. Yikes!
When Can You Visit Imber Village?
So knowing that you generally can’t just wander through the village whenever you feel like it, the question is: when can you safely visit Imber village?
There are a handful of days every year when the Ministry of Defence pauses training and opens the area to allow visitors into Imber.
These days generally coincide with military block leave- so Summer, Christmas & Easter with additional dates for special events such as a Service of Remembrance in November.
Imber Village is for Easter 2026 from Ā from Saturday 4th April until Easter Monday 6th April inclusive. Imber is also open to visitors on the August Bank Holiday weekend between Saturday 29th and Monday 31st inclusive. Always check opening dates and times before visiting!
Dates are always subject to change. The best way to get up to date information is by checking the St Giles Church website. They negotiate directly with the MoD to arrange access days and the information on the website is the most up to date and definitive.
You can only access Imber on these open days. It can be a dangerous place, the āNo Public Accessā rule is there for a reason.
What to Expect at Imber Village
A village without a community, a fascinating history and a glimpse into the world of modern day military training.
St Giles Church
The heart of the village was- and still is- St Giles church. It’s the only building left that is afforded some protection, sat behind it’s own protective fence. The Church and graveyard are not used by the military and are now cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust.
The church- the only building in the village you can enter- acts as a visitor centre on open days, housing a small exhibition about the village and serving refreshments. You can also buy Imber merch, including local honey, mugs and keyrings. Cash only, so come prepared!
St Giles Church is always dressed for the season. Take a moment to appreciate the beautiful floral and foliage arrangements at the church. They are created by volunteers based on the style and tradition that the original residents of Imber would recognise. Such a lovely touch!
Exploring the Village
Once you get to Imber, you are free to explore at your own pace.
Buildings that were once homes, the blacksmiths and the post office now stand empty. There’s a small Baptist burial ground, overgrown and slightly eerie. Although you are free to explore, youĀ mustĀ stay to the marked paths.
You can’t go into any of the old village buildings, but can get close enough to some of the buildings for a peek inside. There’s not much left to see- a fireplace here, an old flagged floor there.
Imber Court is one of the largest buildings remaining from old Imber village. The manor house played a central part in village life.
Across the years, Imber Court was a family home, an academy for young gentlemen and a billet for soldiers in WW1 before being redesigned in the 1920’s after being damaged in a fire.
Imber Court today is reduced to two storeys of red brick, but you can just imagine the upstairs-downstairs, English country house life that would have gone on. Tennis on the lawn and shooting weekends, anyone?
The New Homes At Imber Village
Alongside the old village of Imber stands a newer and equally interesting addition. Unlike Imber, the new additions were never built to house anybody. A small street of mock homes was added by the MoD and are used for urban warfare training.
How to Get to Imber Village, Wiltshire
Getting to Imber village can be a bit of an adventure. The village predates the widespread use of post codes, so it doesn’t have one. You can find detailed directions from each direction here.
Access roads will generally open at 08.00 and close at 18.00 each day, St Giles Church is open from 11.00-16.00 daily.
St Giles Church in Imber does work for What3Words ///straying.just.skipped
Safety at Imber Village
The area around Imber, and the village itself, is an active military training area. There’s lots of signs and volunteers around to let you know where you can and can’t go. The area’s usual use means there’s a small risk of unexploded things.
As a general rule, you can’t enter any of the buildings except St Giles church; others are used as military training features and so aren’t safe.
You’ll spot some old tank hulks in the area around Imber. Fascinating as they are, don’t think about climbing on them. They’re used as targets and so full of holes, sharp edges and possibly contaminated by munitions or pyrotechnics.
Imber Village: F.A.Q’s
Do I need to pre-book to visit Imber Village?
No, just turn up within the advertised hours on any open day.
Is there a fee or admission charge?
No, Imber village is absolutely free to visit.
Are there any facilities for visitors?
Light refreshments are served by volunteers in the church- cash only, bring change! Toilets are available in the form of good old Portaloos. Hand sanitiser and tissues, not a bad idea!
Is there car parking available?
Yes, there is parking available. Some of it is a bit rough and ready road side parking, but there’ll be a place to leave your car.
Is Imber Village dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome in the church and around the village. You’ll find water for our four legged friends at St Giles Church,. Dogs must be kept on lead.
Can You Stay Overnight at Imber Village?
No, definitely and absolutely not. Well, maybe if you join the army you’ll end up on exercise there one day. But just for fun and adventures? It’s a firm no.
If you enjoyed reading about Imber Village, you might also enjoy reading about another historic site in Wiltshire with military connections: Discover the Bulford Kiwi: A Unique Wiltshire Walk
Although you can’t stay overnight at Imber, the Churches Conservation Trust who care for St Giles do offer overnight stays in some of their other historic churches across England: Spend the Night in A Historic Church: Champing
There’s another WW2 ‘Ghost Village’ by the sea : Tyneham & Worbarrow Bay Guide- Dorset’s Lost Village.
Helen x
Just the right amount of information to send me scampering off to the links out of curiosity, Helen. A visit in person is out of the question, as we’re just back in the Algarve after a 3 day swoop on Leeds. Croquet today and Thursday, eating with friends, and walking tomorrow and Friday. I’ll think again when I get to the weekend. Wishing you a joyful new year!
That sounds like a busy but happy schedule! Isnāt it a joy to be able to go places and see people this year, albeit with caution. All the best to you too, heres to a happy and healthy year ahead.
Looks an interesting place to explore Helen, thanks for the detailed information.
Iām just so happy to see the village open again this year, it was another thing that fell to covid last year. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, I really appreciate the support š
I’ve just had a look at the links and I’ve sent them on to a friend n Brighton suggesting we meet there (her with her car as I am no longer able to see well enough to drive), looks interesting. Short walk today if the wind doesn’t blow me away (it’s building up to gale force) but tomorrow sitting in the ‘curtain shop’ picking out materials for curtains and later walking around that town. Lunch with friends on Friday, hairdressers, and then it’s weekend when we start planning. These days I don’t plan too far ahead as the disappointment is too great sometimes. I’ve got a couple of dinners out next week and keeping fingers crossed they will still be on, but who knows?
Oh it would be brilliant if you made it over to see the village! I know what you mean about the disappointment, it gets very disheartening having to treat everything as ‘pencilled in’ or ‘subject to change’. I’m hopeful this coming year is the beginning of the end of it all… we must stay hopeful!
Such an interesting place Helen, I’d never heard of Imber before but if I return to Wiltshire, will definitely visit š
It’s definitely worth a visit if you get a chance!
Would be interesting to see! We are mainly going for rather bracing walks
That sounds like a great plan.
As I read I kept thinking, ‘this reminds me of our visit to Tyneham’, and sure enough when I got to the end you mentioned the similarity! Not sure I’ll ever be in this area around the right times of year but if so will definitely consider a visit, it sounds fascinating.
Both Tyneham and Imber are interesting places, although the loss of them to the villagers is sad. I think Tyneham is a bit more accessible as it’s open at points in the Summer as long as there is no live firing on. There’s something really fascinating about abandoned places, speaks to my imagination!
Imber village sounds a fascinating place to visit. I imagine it must have a very special atmosphere. We are walking as much as ever with Zeph, although the wet and mud is less appealing – to us, not him! We’ve discovered an abandoned golf course which has footpaths through it and is perfect for meetings of our unofficial Border Collie Club!
Such an intriguing sounding place. A little spooky mind, especially if you drive by at night. X
This seems like an extremely interesting place to visit! I’m definitely adding this to my list of must visits! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, I really appreciate you taking the time to read and leave a lovely comment. I absolutely love your blog name and logo, I’m very inspired by the woods and woodland creatures.
Who knew that some villages had “open dates” for visiting. Looks like a fun place for an adventure!
It’s because the military do live firing exercises up there, so the area is usually off limits to the public. Which makes it a big deal when it does open, especially as Covid kept it closed much of last year. Thanks so much for dropping by!
I heard about this place years ago, and your account has certainly whetted my appetite to wander round for myself. All good wishes for 2022!
Thanks Margaret, here’s to a good year ahead for all of us!
I never knew of this place but it sounds SO interesting. Would love to visit, thanks for sharing this information!
Thank you, it really is a fascinating place. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, too.
The history of this lovely village sounds interesting! I enjoy a little history lesson! And even better with it being haunted!