TYNHAM VILLAGE
Tynham village dates back to William the Conqueror but the most poignant moment in its history came just before Christmas in 1943 when the village and surrounding area was commandeered by the War Office as a military training area. All 252 inhabitants were evacuated with the understanding that they would be allowed to return after the war which was later known as 'Churchill's Pledge' However when the war ended the military maintained they still needed the land for training and despite many representations and appeals the villagers were never allowed to return. Today the village and surrounding coastline still lie inside the military zone and are only open to the public at certain prescribed times. Its ruins are now maintained as a tourist attraction where visitors can explore the 'lost village'. The last known resident died in 2010.