Bus trips to Wiltshire’s famous ‘ghost’ village: What you need to know

The annual bus service to the abandoned Wiltshire village of Imber returns on Saturday, August 17, when up to 40 old and new Routemaster buses and guest vehicles, will operate from Warminster to Imber and other points on Salisbury Plain.

The buses are operating a regular service for one day only, providing passengers with a unique opportunity to explore the area between 10am and 6pm. 

Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Imber by bus on Saturday, August 17 to explore the abandoned 'ghost' village. (Image: Imberbus)

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill, and Imber in the County of Wiltshire, said: “For the 15th year we are welcoming passengers aboard one of the quirkiest bus services in the country - to see and visit places they can’t normally access from the luxury of buses old and new (including some open-top double deckers), at the bargain all-day fare of £10 adult and £2 child; all benefitting charity.

“Everyone’s welcome; my friends and I are looking forward to seeing you."

Imberbus first started in 2009 and has since run an annual service to the hidden ghost village of Imber, uninhabited since 1943, when the Ministry of Defence ordered 150 residents to leave ahead of training for the 1944 D-Day landings in Normandy.

Most visitors explore the deserted streets and buildings before trekking up to the historic St Giles’s Church, for refreshments and to browse for mementos of their trip.

Imber sits deep in the heart of Salisbury Plain, the UK’s biggest military training area and is only open to visitors on certain days of the year.

The Imberbus trips are organised by Lord Hendy and his team with help from volunteers and vehicles from about 20 different bus operators across England.

Last year, the event saw record-breaking attendance, with over 4,000 people riding the buses to the abandoned village, raising over £38,000 for charities in the process.

All smiles: Lord Peter Hendy coordinates the Imberbus trips to the Wiltshire ' ghost' village of Imber. Photo: Trevor Porter (Image: Trevor Porter)

Following the event, Imberbus organisers donated £9,408 to the Friends of St Giles Church, who look after Imber’s last remaining place of worship, with £6,500 going to the Royal British Legion.

Chitterne Church Hall received a donation of £5,000, Bristol Omnibus Vehicle Collection was awarded £2,000 and Tilshead Village Hall and Market Lavington Museum £1500 each.

Other charities receiving £1,000 included Salisbury Hospital Stars Fund, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Macmillan Cancer Support, Wiltshire Air Ambulance and West Lavington Youth Club.

Buses will pick up passengers at Warminster railway station from 9.454am onwards and run direct to Imber on military roads rarely open to the public, before continuing on across Salisbury Plain to Gore Cross, Chitterne, Tilshead and the Lavingtons. 

The service is so frequent no timetable is needed, with buses serving Tilshead, Chitterne, New Zealand Farm Camp, West Lavington, Market Lavington and Brazen Bottom running at least twice an hour throughout most of the day.

The buses will run as an ordinary bus service with no advance booking required and no need to reserve a seat. Low-floor buses with access for those with mobility impairments form part of the service. 

Tickets will be available to be purchased on the day from volunteers outside Warminster station, or with cash only from the bus conductors. Adult all-day tickets cost £10 and children’s tickets £2. 

These tickets will allow unlimited travel on all the Imberbuses, so passengers can hop on and off them as much as they like and visit all the different places served.

 For more information, please visit www.imberbus.org