Lulworth Cove holiday Day 1

Tyneham village was taken over by the Army in WW2 and hasn't yet been returned. It just happens to be in the vast MOD ranges used for gunnery practice. Only on some weekends is access permitted, so some of us chose to explore the village and look at some very interesting history, whilst the others walked the surrounding hills. We all met for a sandwich lunch on the beach. The hill walkers covered over 8 miles and climbed 1100 feet, the high humidity and a map reading error didn't help! However we all survived and managed some refreshment before the evening meal. Thanks to Marian, Jane and Peter for additional photos.

Tyneham Dorset's Lost Village Tyneham is a small village nestling in the valley below Whiteway Hill. However, it is no ordinary village, but one where time has stood still except for the ravages of time, which have taken their toll. For Tyneham was once a populated village, the villagers living their daily lives without thought of what one day was going to happen. The Second World War came and although Tyneham was not a place likely to be targeted by bombs, the Ministry of Defence targeted it instead. The villagers were told to leave their homes in order that the army could take over the land for the duration of the war. They were promised their homes back at such time as the war ended, but in the event, they never got to live in their homes again. It is still to this day M.O.D. land as indeed it is all around the area. Access to Tyneham is only when the M.O.D. allow, mainly at weekends, when there is no practice firing on the ranges. Now the little village lies in ruins except for the church and old schoolhouse that has been preserved as it was left all those years ago. The names of the pupils are still there with their coat pegs, their work still on the old desks. A walk out of the village leads to the ruins of Tyneham Farm and the old farmlands where sheep still graze. Turning right and following the path for about 3/4 of a mile, passing the ruins of Sea Cottage, leads to a secluded beach at Worbarrow Bay. The beach is rocky with shingle leading to sand. The water is very clear, almost transparent. Thanks to http://www.weymouth-dorset.co.uk/ for this information.