Dozens of passengers recently boarded a fleet of 40 vintage red buses for an annual one-day journey to Imber, an abandoned village located within a military training ground on Salisbury Plain.
The Imberbus event, which takes place on a single day each year, utilizes classic London Transport Routemasters and some newer buses to travel along roads through the Ministry of Defence training area that are normally closed to the public. The service originates from Warminster railway station, guiding passengers through the restricted military landscape to Imber and other seldom-visited parts of Salisbury Plain.
Imber has been largely deserted since its residents were compelled to leave in 1943 during World War II, so the village could be utilized for military training exercises. Access to the area remains heavily restricted, with the road through the village only opened to the public on a limited number of days annually.
The Imberbus initiative began in 2009 when a group of bus industry professionals aimed to establish a vintage bus service from Warminster to the abandoned settlement. The event's popularity led to its establishment as an annual fixture, with services expanding to reach remote areas of Wiltshire not typically served by public transport.
This year's event featured 40 buses, forming a notable convoy as they traversed the military roads before departing Imber at the day's end. Unlike a guided tour, Imberbus functions as a standard bus service, with passengers accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis, without advance reservations. Tickets for this year's service were priced at £10 for adults and £2 for children, payable to the conductor on board or purchased from sellers outside Warminster station.
The annual event also serves as a fundraiser for various charities, including the Friends of St Giles' Church in Imber and the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.
History enthusiasts can explore Imber, which was evacuated and transformed into a military training area in 1943, playing a role in preparing soldiers for D-Day and subsequent wartime operations. Approximately 150 residents were displaced from their homes with a 47-day evacuation notice, under the assumption they would return after the war. However, over 80 years later, the village remains under the Ministry of Defence's control, with public access granted for only about 12 days annually.
While many of the original cottages have deteriorated over time, the structures of the Grade I-listed St Giles' Church and the former pub are still present. Other buildings from the 1940s were demolished after sustaining damage during training exercises.
The village and its surrounding terrain continue to be significant for military purposes, including training Ukrainian soldiers. Despite its ongoing military importance, the public can visit on specially designated occasions, observing remnants of its past amidst training exercise relics and cautionary signs.
Custodian Neil Skelton, 77, from Wilton, Wiltshire, noted the consistent high number of visitors to the church each year. The church is accessible from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on each of the 12 days granted by the Ministry of Defence.
