👻 The world's most fascinating abandoned towns and cities: Tyneham
Deserted village abandoned during World War II, Dorset, England
📌 Fast Facts
- Location: Dorset coast, within Lulworth Ranges military training area
- Evacuation: 19 November 1943; residents never returned
- Population before evacuation: Approximately 225 residents
- Status: Open weekends and school holidays; as of 2026, accessible to public
Tyneham is a deserted village in Dorset, England, that was evacuated by military order in 1943 and remains uninhabited. Originally a modest agricultural settlement dating to at least the 11th century, the village was requisitioned on 19 November 1943 to make way for infantry training exercises within what is now the Lulworth Ranges. Residents were promised they could return after the war, but the land remained under military control for over 75 years. As of 2026, Tyneham remains open to the ...