This is another video in my series “Walks in Dorset” accompanied by my Whippet (Logan). In this episode, I visit the “Ghost village” of Tyneham & the pretty Worbarrow Bay - both located near Lulworth on the Isle of Purbeck (about 10 miles West of Swanage).
My 4 mile circular walk starts at Tyneham which is no ordinary village! In 1943, the War Office gave every householder in the village just one month's notice to vacate their properties & land as the area was to be used by the Army (as a firing range) for the duration of the war. The villages were relocated throughout Dorset - they expected to return after the war.
However in 1948, the Army decided to stay & basically the villagers never returned. The village is now made up of derelict houses, frozen in time, within an active firing range. Members of the public are, however, still allowed to visit the village on certain days (check the Tyneham website for opening times).
So my walk starts with a mini exploration of the village (the car park there requests a suggested donation of £2). Just two of the buildings have a roof - the church & the school (now a museum).
I then head along a gravel track up to Whiteway Hill where I get to enjoy some super views both East & West (including a good sight of Lulworth Castle). I continue along a high ridge towards an Iron Age Hill Fort at Flowers Barrow before taking a very steep descent to Worbarrow Bay. The bay has a pleasant beach but I continue to climb Worbarrow Tout for another spectacular view of the Jurassic Coast.
Logan & I get to enjoy a paddle in the sea before returning back to Tyneham along a gravel track. Just before the car park, we get the opportunity of looking around the “History Barn” - the old Tyneham Farm has been set up to reflect the 1940's.
This is a great walk, albeit undulating (!), with terrific views along with a fascinating wander around the deserted buildings at Tyneham.
XXXX Generally Tyneham is open most weekends (but not every weekend - usually closed at least one weekend each month). It is often open for the 2 weeks around Christmas & is often open for most of August. The website to check for opening times is at tynehamopc.org.uk/visiting-ty...
Map courtesy of Google Maps.
For further videos in the series, please go to: / @daveford or my website at daveford5966.wixsite.com/website
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I use a GOPRO HERO 7 or 8 Black Action Camera (sometimes with a Gimbal) & a Rode microphone (either a “Shotgun” or a Rode Wireless Go) together with a Canon Powershot SX530 HS.