The Lost Village Of Imber: Exploring The Secretive Military Training villages On Salisbury Plain
Вставка
- Опубліковано 19 сер 2024
- Imber, in the middle of Salisbury Plain, was once a small and beloved village to those who resided there. In 1943 the MOD asked the residence to decant, on the grounds they would return after the war, in order to allow the village to become a training center. Of course, they obliged, after all it was to help the war effort. Sadly, the MOD reneged on their promise and refused the plea for the residence to return after the end of WW2. Now, the abandoned, lost village of Imber is a well used military training ground only open to the public for about a week per year.
In this video we explore this area as well as the highly unusual faux German village, Copehill Down, a purpose made village for close quarters training.
Free car park at SP3 4SG, we did not realise at the time, but you can also park for free in Imber itself during open days.
Please check the firing days/times before going to the Imber Range, lots of information online and an automated hotline: 01980 674763.
This walk took place within the same county we live in, currently a tier 3 area.
/ teainvalhalla
/ teainvalhalla
Ooooh, an unexpected treat. You both were more “relaxed” in front of the camera, more natural and not so much overly animated which brought a more professional touch to the film. I noticed the camera swapping hands twice (first time I think). A new technique in this episode too … undertaking a piece to camera whilst walking forward (and the camera moving backwards) - that was a nice touch, as was the map shot (and explanation). Excellent! Until Next Time ….. 8)
Hello Ian! Hope you are well and a happy new year to you and yours ❤ the lack of animation may be part down to the permafrost and them being stuck to the camera or in pockets haha! Pleased you noticed the moon-walk-PTC (trademark TIV) haha. Kats mum is the driving force behind the map shots. Love your feedback and continuing support, it all helps with learning and confidence building for us both. All the very best, Ceri and Kat 🥰🤗❤☕
14:10 giant military connect 4 game?
Haha Erie and Lovely walk guys! 👊🏽
Hello Storb! Hahah yes military Connect 4, as good a guess as any! Thanks for the comment and your support as always, appreciated ❤ have your winter wild dip on our watch list! Catch you soon, Ceri and Kat 🥶❤☕
Chilly business! What an eerie area, great experience😀
Super creepy in places and very spooky! Was great to see Imber village for the first time up close and in the flesh, all.be it mighty chilly ❤☕🥶👍
A rare walk..great. loved all the information, great walk for the military collecting community. Liked the bustard talk 👍
Hello Bill, thank you for watching. Making the most of what we have on our doorstep and especially making using of the limited access to this mysterious village! Would have loved to have seen a Bustard, maybe next time or on a different walk! All the best, Ceri and Kat 🚶♀️🚶♂️❤☕👍
Really enjoyed this film, you made it very interesting. Liked the history and farming information, thanks for sharing, it's a pity the local community weren't allowed back to their homes. Well done both, keep it up x
Hello Kath, thank you for watching and your continuing support, means the world. Pleased you liked the video, the farming information is something we think should be championed! Warm regards, Ceri and Kat ❤🚶♂️❤🚶♀️☕🥰
I would recommend Hardraw Force Waterfall in Hawes, in the Yorkshire Dale's it was Kevin's famous Robin Hood Waterfall scene and is now in a pub garden 🤣👍🏽 also a 10 min drive away from that is Wensleydale Creamary and the old Hawes Mills and Waterfall Trail! Lovely walk through the village of Hawes and the cheese isn't bad either!
Top tip, thank you Storb! Walk and cheese, what more could we ask for!? We will bear this in mind for future adventures. We have heard of Hardraw Force Waterfall, very much a must visit! Atb, Ceri and Kat 🧀🚶♂️🚶♀️👍
I didn't know that fake German village existed, incredibly strange, thank you for sharing, have a great 2021, I hope you go from strength to strength, Winnie.
Aww hello Winnie, thank you for your lovley comment and well wishes. Strange indeed, very bizarre and surreal experience! Hope you are well our best wishes to you and yours for 2021! Ceri and Kat 😁🤗
Truly amazing. Yes, for sure, hopefully 2021 will see things change drastically for the better, especially open for international travel! All the best and happy adventuring!
Hello! 🤗 thanks for watching and leaving a comment, well wishes! We wish you and everyone a year filled of adventure, exploration and international travel! 🤞 all the very best to you and yours, Ceri and Kat ❤☕😁
Nat and I went up to Imber around Easter a few years ago, the church is deffo an interesting visit. There were cream teas being served and a huge amount of documented history of the village on display. Shame you couldn’t get in there, but great vid nonetheless 👌
Hello Sir! Ooh that sounds great, cream teas....mmmm lovely! We look forward to returning to see the church and maybe partake in a CT!! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment, always appreciated. Best wishes for 2021, Ceri and Kat 👍❤☕🥰
Happy New Year, that was genuinely very interesting thanks for taking the time to make and share this video with us! :-)
Hello Snowy and a happy new year to you,may it be a good one! Thank you for your kind words and watching our video, it was a fascinating place and a great day out. Pleased you found the video interesting. All the very best, Ceri and Kat ❤☕🤗
I visited Imber last weekend and went into St Giles church for a cup of tea and biscuit. Loved seeing the tanks and old army vehicles there and Salisbury Plains.
Hello Angela, that sounds ideal! We need to revist and see the Church, thanks so much for your comment and support, really appreciated, have a great week, Ceri and Kat ☕ ❤ 🌞
Glad you took the opportunity to explore the area...BTW, I LOVE THOSE SNAZZY TROUSERS.
Hello Mr Tramp, thank you as always for taking the time to watch a leave a comment. Interesting place, pleased to have taken advantage of the access times. I have father Katmas to thank for the snazzy new pants, her fear of losing me a in thick fog has been eased! 🤭 all the very best, Ceri and Kat ❤☕
I never knew they opened that place, looks very interesting, just to think how many different soldiers have trained there, amazing. I worked not too far from there a while back about 10/15 mile away in old Sarum for about a year.
Isle of Skye looks amazing, it’s on my places to visit but maybe not this year though.
I liked ceri’s trousers, no chance of being accidentally shot with those on very bright 😎👍🏻 cheers for the video guys. ATB George 🏕
Hello George! Small world, we know Old Sarum and the Salisbury area well, we love it ❤ it is worth keeping an eye on the open times,plenty of info online and a phone number in the description to a lovely automated man who will also tell you if it's open or not. I am super excited to get up to Skye, once safe to do so of course. The trousers are a double edge sword, great for being spotted....not so great when you wouldn't want to be spotted, like walking across a firing range! Wardrobe malfunction 🤭 all the very best, Ceri and Kat 🥰👍☕❤
This is awesome, I love abandoned buildings, they're so eerie. Interesting story about the military taking the place over. Epic adventure guys! Heres to a great 2021!
Hello! Thank you so much for your kind words, feedback and taking the time to watch our video. It was great to see, eerie to an extreme. Constantly felt like we should not be there or an military strike force was waiting to cart us of for questioning lol! Sad bit of history really, but highlights when the military comes a knocking not much going to stop them. Hope you are well and yes happy adventures for 2021! ⛰🏕❤☕ Ceri and Kat
Thanks for showing, did some excersizes there back in 1999. A village that was evacuated but were never to return
Hello Lee, thanks for taking the time to watch and leave a comment. Brilliant that you have had the honour of using the village for it's now intended purpose. Well done indeed! Atb, Ceri and Kat 👍☕
@@TeaInValhalla its a place I've never forgotten i was about 19 years old when I first went there and didn't expect it to be as it was, an old pub, shop, church. I trained alongside the parachute regiment and the gurhkus, an incredible experience I must go and visit sometime as I didn't think it was possible. Its hard to imagine people ever living and spending their lives there it must of been really tough times for those residents.
What an interesting walk! Thank you for sharing, very much enjoying your videos and on screen chemistry 🧪🤓🧐
Hello Sparta, thank you for the comment and taking the time to watch our video. Please you enjoy or on screen adventures. Properly enjoying sharing our walks with the YT community. Hope you are well, all the best,Ceri and Kat ❤☕🤗
What a fab video. Looks like a really interesting place to walk around. Like a little secret village. Brilliant. Hope you get chance to explore some of the places you want to go to in 2021. I’m hoping to get to the Lakes as my plans have been scuppered twice due to Covid. I’ll also be aiming to do a few multi day hikes and my first ever wild camp in 2021. Fingers crossed we get chance! 🙂👍
Hello Anthony, thank you as always for your kind words and taking the time to watch our videos. It's an amazing place steeped in history, felt like intruders in certain places..very odd! Ooh the Lakes, any fells in particular tickling your fancy? We will keep fingers crossed for you 🤞❤ more multi day hikes from you would be great, bring the #waffle back! Excited for your first wild camp too,brilliant! Off to watch you latest video now 🥰 All the very best, Ceri and Kat ☕❤☕
Wow memories of training there in the early 90s. Smells of cordite, cam cream, sweat and hex blocks .... FIBUA was brilliant there, especially at night. Not sure what year it finally closed for regular training.
Hello J Bradshaw, amazing how many people have used and trained in the village, glad to have shared our walk and tour with you, can imagine it being a very different place under training conditions! Have a great week, Ceri and Kat ☕❤🤗
Enjoyed this. You guys have so much fun on camera and make your videos easy to watch...lots of good information too
Hello CJ! Thanks so much for taking grhe time to watch and drop a comment. Pleased you enjoyed the video, great to hear its easy to watch and informative. Fine line 🤓 hope you are well, catch you soon. Ceri and Kat 🥰☕👍
Nice video guys, I went to Imber on the annual “Imberbus” event which sadly didn’t run this year, and managed to spend some time in the church, was a great day. Atb for 2021!
We are really sad to not of been able to see the church, still, hopefully another time! Sorry the Imberbus wasn't running for you this year, we very much hope it'll be a different story for you in 2021! Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment, atb, Ceri and Kat ☕❤
As always great video and day out.
Very eeerie but amazing bit of history.
Thank you for sharing.
ATB Dan.👍👍👍
Hello Dan, thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Your opinion is always appreciated 🤗 it is a strange place for sure, bizarre! Hope you are well, catch you soon, Ceri and Kat ❤☕
haha! great video guys, thanks for sharing. Certainly looked fresh! Red team training area for sure!! Happy new year :)
Red team certainly need the training bro! Hope you are well and had a good new years, love and hugs from us ❤🥰
An interesting video guys, nice to see you both out, great that you picked the week you could walk it... Glad you put Shropshire on your bucket list, give us a shout when you're up here 😜👍 stay safe 👍
Would have made for a very different video if we had tried to walk it this week 🤔🤭 hello hi Dave! Thanks for watching and your feedback, always appreciated you know it! Shropshire not a million miles away, just need a word with big B...😬😆 will absolutely drop you a tinkle, tour guide for hire? Hope you are well, Ceri and Kat 💥👊❤☕
@@TeaInValhalla not for hire but for I'll gladly show you round this legendary place 👍 I'm sure it would of made for a great video if you walked it this week 😜 stay safe both. 🤜🤛
Great video guys. Awesome location. You were always going to be spotted in those trousers, Ceri. Not exactly covert😆 Cheers guys. Al.
Hahah hello Moor Solo, I know right! I think I could be seen from outer space 🚀 thanks for your feedback and we are pleased you enjoyed the video. Happy new year to you, all the best Ceri and Kat ☕❤😊
Very interesting walk guys. Ceri must of been tired out to have a quick kip on the grass.lol. Great info as usual. Heres to a fantastic 2021.🙂🙂
Hello Martin, thank you for watching and your kind feedback. Lots of info to back in, tired me out fast! 🤭 all the very best for the year ahead indeed, Ceri and Kat 🤗☕❤
Great vid guys... Iv trained there many times haha also be sure you get to the Peaks it’s awesome. Glad to see you both well 🙏
Ah hey Jono, we were new to this walk and it didn't disappoint, so interesting and so many people know of it too! Oh we acnt wait till restrictions ease, might avoid the honey pot areas for a wee while of wait till off peak times ya know. Thanks watching, have a great weekend, Ceri and Kat ❤☕👍🤗
Loved this!! Great video guys, I've been to Imber (we cheated and drove lol) but haven't seen the mock German village, will have to check it out one day.
Driving isn't cheating, its what carparks are for, especially when little ones are hot on the heels, we want to go back at Easter if we can to see the church :)
Great video! Loved your trousers! 👌 paul
Thanks for watching Paul, pleased you enjoyed it ❤☕ the trousers were Christmas treat!hope you are well,all the best, Ceri and Kat 🤗👍
Very spooky
I’m just planning a hike through the military zone in Northumberland and researching stuff, when this video started next on my binge watch
Hahahha hello again! Funny how things like that work out, yes we are surrounded with Military down here I Wiltshire. Interested and intrigued to see how our areas compare , thanks again for your support and feedback, really appreciated, Ceri and Kat ❤☕👍🌞
Brilliant video, there was an abandoned MOD village down in Dorset but it was closed when we went down there in Dorset. Hoping to do Cleveland Way in September. Fingers bloody crossed
Hello Woodside Walker, thanks for watching and you kind feedback! Appreciate the support. The Cleveland way will be a great track, fingers crossed for you indeed 🤞 Have you done many distance walks In the past, or is this something new for you? Talk soon, Ceri and Kat 🤗☕👍
@@TeaInValhalla hi both hope you had great Xmas and New year? Will be my first multi day trek. Planning on camping most of way. Done long distance one day walks. Lots of practice to do carrying kit. I live in Shropshire so plenty of tracks and hills to practice on 😳
Very interesting and informative. I remember a piece on something like Springwatch, where some bloke showed the viewers around a little area on some 'no go' place on SP and focussing on the botanical richness. I remember one particularly rare species of orchid being on the site......it could've been lady orchid? My plans for the year ahead? Well even more wildcamps, with some particular hills in mind. My wildlife trips and photography took a hit this year so plenty of that too. ATB, Chris
Hello Chris, the importance of these places shouldn't be underestimated. That was news to Kat about the orchid, thanks for that. Wild camps and hills sound great, the photos and wildlife will come hand in hand with some luck. All the best from us and have a great 2021, Ceri and Kat 😊❤☕
Good work guys, keep it up!
Thank you kind sir, hope you are well and have enjoyed a good holiday period. Catch you soon, Ceri and Kat ❤☕🤗 ^_^
Interesting place , I love strange abandoned buildings . Yes its annoying when you're walking and theres nowhere to sit for a lunch break. On a walk my fella once had to do his insulin injection in a cold wet field!
Hello Shirley, nothing beats a sign saying dont go there, dont touch that! And this place had heaps of those 🤭 but heart breaking a bench free walk is not a food walk! Not even a good lump or bump. We hope you have a great 2021, may the wind always be at your back and your medications taken in comfort #morebenches all the best, Ceri and Kat ❤🤭🤗☕
14 miles? Well done guys. We love finding strange little buildings during our travels. BTW If you do happen to come to the Peak District in future when it's safe please let us know. Happy New Year 😉
Ah hello Lou and Lol! Hope you are both well, happy new year to you too! 🤗 the weirder the more wonderful hey!? Oh definitely, will shout loud and proud 👍❤ catch you soon, Ceri and Kat ☕💥👊
And yes a good 14 miles, I was a hungry man when I got home lol! Needless to say not much of Kats Christmas cake left now 😬🤭
@@TeaInValhalla if we go on a longish walk we always end up thinking about what we're going to have for dinner too. There's something there comforting in a good meal after a long walk, even if it's a takeaway 😊
7:47 tank looks cool over there ! Happy New Year Intermission ! cool hike to Gorge Cross and short nap in the field was cool !👍👍
Hi, interesting hike! PT
Hello PT, thank you so much for watching and leaving a comment. It was a great day, we want to go again at Easter. All the best, Ceri and Kat ❤☕👍
At 9:00 on the barn attached to the farm house you can just make out the blurred remains of "Free Imber" - that comes from the counter insurgency training that was done in the 70's and 80's for Sandhurst Cadets, on of the exercises was based on an "Imber Independence" movement where instructors would play (very) militant revolutionaries, there is a similar facility in Northumberland
Interesting place! Kind of creepy in a "Hills Have Eyes" sort of way 😁
Hello Des, totally agree! Was all kinds of spooky, strange and apocalyptic!hope you liked the video. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment, really appreciated. Hope you are well, Ceri and Kat 🤗❤☕
@@TeaInValhalla Doing great thanks. Exercise walking to Valhalla! 😁 Hope you are both well👍
My ancestors were from here, you used to have a sort of special access if you could prove you were related to someone buried at the church
I haven’t bothered chasing it up myself but my parents used to, I remember finding bullet casings with chain links and spent smoke grenades there as a child.
I knew it was for d-day but I never knew they were promised to return.. doesn’t shock me at all though.
Crunching ice and tanks, that is what life is all about.
Hello Paul, thank you for taking the time to watch and leave a comment. Throw tea into the mix and you have your self a party! ❤☕🥳
Bonkers 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Only recently there was on documentary on TV about Imber.
Don't forget to visit the Brecon Beacons and Elan valley 👍
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda 😉
Hello Taff, happy new year to you too! 🥳
Was there, what channel? Would have liked to have seen that. It's a fascinating place.
We will never forget the Brecon Beacons, one of our favourite group walking areas, good access for us, only a couple of hours by car.
We are super keen to explore the Elan more, want to spend a couple of days there. Fingers crossed hey!
All the best for the year ahead, Ceri and Kat ❤☕🤗👍🥳
If you like to watch people hiking, then this is the video for you, if not, don't waste 22 minutes of your time. Life's too short.
I've personally (area cleaned ) SPTA -Sailsbury we did it in the mid 90s ..well me ans thousands of other troops .
It's well.maintained and looked after .
If the Army weren't there it would quickly turn into a New Build estate overnight.