Nestled in the heart of England lies Imber, a village abandoned 82 years ago during World War II. In 1943, villagers were ordered to leave as the British Army took over the area for military training purposes in preparation for the fight against Nazi Germany. Since then, no permanent residents have returned, turning Imber into a haunting time capsule frozen in the past.
The decision to evacuate Imber was driven by the urgent need for realistic training grounds for troops preparing to embark on the Allied invasion of Europe. While some hoped to return after the war, military control continued, and the village’s buildings remain largely untouched—preserved yet empty.
Today, Imber stands as a rare glimpse into wartime sacrifice on the home front. Its empty streets and abandoned homes evoke a powerful atmosphere, reminding visitors of the extraordinary circumstances that led to its evacuation and the ongoing legacy of conflict.