Cheverell Down

Downs, Moorland in Wiltshire

England

Cheverell Down

St Giles Church, Imber, Wiltshire Viewed in August 2022. The Visit Churches website records &quot;This lovely thirteenth century church stands in rolling downland deep inside the military training area of Salisbury Plain. It is all that remains of the ghost village of Imber (now just abandoned houses), which was evacuated for military training purposes in 1943.&quot;

The Grade I listed building is now a redundant church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on November 1st 2002 and was vested in the Trust on September 14th 2005. — St Giles Church, Imber, Wiltshire Credit: Shell Grayson

Cheverell Down is a prominent area of downs and moorland located in Wiltshire, England. It covers an expansive area of approximately 1,200 hectares and is part of the Salisbury Plain, a vast chalk plateau in southern England. The down is situated near the villages of Market Lavington and Erlestoke.

Characterized by its rolling hills, Cheverell Down offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The landscape is predominantly comprised of chalk grassland, scattered with diverse wildflowers, including orchids and cowslips, which add vibrant colors to the area during the spring and summer months. Additionally, the down is home to a range of wildlife, such as rabbits, hares, and various bird species, making it an ideal spot for nature enthusiasts.

The historical significance of Cheverell Down is also noteworthy. It is believed to have been inhabited since prehistoric times, with evidence of ancient burial mounds and earthworks scattered throughout the area. Furthermore, the down served as an important training ground for the military during World War II and still sees occasional military exercises today.

Cheverell Down is a popular destination for outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, and birdwatching. Numerous footpaths and trails crisscross the area, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty at their leisure. The down is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), ensuring its conservation and protection for future generations to enjoy.

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Cheverell Down Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.251746/-2.0568342 or Grid Reference ST9650. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Giles Church, Imber, Wiltshire

Viewed in August 2022. The Visit Churches website records "This lovely thirteenth century church stands in rolling downland deep inside the military training area of Salisbury Plain. It is all that remains of the ghost village of Imber (now just abandoned houses), which was evacuated for military training purposes in 1943." The Grade I listed building is now a redundant church in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. It was declared redundant on November 1st 2002 and was vested in the Trust on September 14th 2005.

Shell Grayson

Urban warfare training area, Imber Village

Seen from the top of the churchyard. This view of ST9648 : St Giles Church, Imber was taken from the same spot during a public open day.

David Martin

St Giles Church, Imber

Taken from the same spot as ST9648 : Urban warfare training area, Imber Village, looking in a slightly different direction, on one of the few days when Imber was open to the public.

David Martin

St Giles Church, Imber

The village remains abandoned within the Imber Range. Taken on one of the few days when the roads and village were open to the public.

David Martin

Imber Court

Within the village of Imber, this is one of the principal buildings abandoned when the military took over in 1943. The notice is addressed to troops and reminds them, among other things, to ensure that rooms are swept, toilets are clean and "all ammunition and pyrotechnics are collected" at the end of each training exercise.

David Martin

Nag's Head Cottages, Imber

These are among the houses that were taken over by the military in 1943 and to which the villagers were never allowed to return. Public access on New Year's Day 2024, with many visitors no doubt prompted by this BBC News story 2 days earlier "Eighty years since families left 'ghost village' on Salisbury Plain" Link

David Martin

Along the edge of the Urban warfare training area, Imber Village

David Martin

Looking into the Urban warfare training area, Imber Village

On a day when the public were allowed to visit, although access is restricted to the road and church, due to the risk of unexploded military ordnance...

David Martin

Ancient and modern at Imber

Modern structures built for urban warfare training, with St Giles Church in the distance. This is close to being a reverse view from ST9648 : Urban warfare training area, Imber Village.

David Martin

You wait for ages then.....

The 1653 bus from Brazen Bottom approaches New Zealand Farm Camp followed by the 1659 from Imber. A busy place at 1719 on this Saturday!

Michael Meilton

On the Wessex Ridgeway Path, Littleton Down

Colin Park

Imber - The 'Lost' Village

Military "houses" erected for training purposes in Imber, the village commandeered and evacuated by the MoD in 1943 and never given back to its residents. The road through the village is permanently closed except for two or three occasions each year when access is permitted and the church, the only remaining complete structure of the original village, is open to visitors.

Helen C Casey

Well, near Imber

The well, which is under the rusted grating between the RH and middle post, is in what may have been a village site, possibly Medieval. Link

Vieve Forward

Tank on ridge, near Imber

This derelict tank, perhaps the same as in Link sits on the ridge possibly for use as target practice by soldiers during training exercises. (Photo taken on zoom.)

Vieve Forward

The Church of St. Giles, Imber

Written by Brian Robert Marshall The church is on the site of an earlier mid 12th century building. The church as seen today is the result of building work carried out in the 13th and 15th centuries, and restorations dating from 1849 and 1895. It continued to serve its parishioners until 1943 when the entire village was depopulated to aid the war effort. The villagers were never allowed back and the village today is, most of the time, used for military training. An unusual feature of the exterior is the top of the tower which has five pinnacles. Many of the interior fittings have been removed to other churches. The font is now in Brixton Deverill Link whilst the altar, communion rails and some pews are in Bratton Link Other pews made it as far as Churchdown in Gloucestershire Link The interior still has much of interest. The church is listed Grade I Link

From 1943 until 2002 the church was maintained by the War Department and its successor the Ministry of Defence. Following being declared redundant, the church passed into the care of the Churches Conservation Trust in 2005. Much work spanning the years 2005 to 2009 has been carried out to conserve the building and its features. The church remains consecrated as a place of worship and services are held on certain days each year.

Vieve Forward

Imber tank ranges

The white-topped posts mark tank crossing points of the sometimes public road to Imber.

Robin Webster

Building 43, Imber

One of the very few original buildings left standing in the village requisitioned by the army for training purposes. It was once the Bell Inn. Nearly all of the present buildings here (glimpsed at the left) are modern shells, built presumably for urban warfare training. This old building is dated something like 1769 on the stone at the top. It appears to be modified, with some windows reduced to slits, and with additional slits.

Robin Webster