Planning a trip to Tyneham Village in Dorset? This guide covers exactly what you need to know before visiting — including how to get there, the best time to visit, parking, dog-friendly information, and nearby places to explore.
Tyneham is an abandoned village on the Isle of Purbeck, located between Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge. The village was evacuated in 1943 during the Second World War for military training and, when the war ended, residents were not permitted to return. Today, Tyneham is often described as Dorset’s lost village and remains part of the Ministry of Defence training area.
Quick Information – Tyneham Village
Location:
Isle of Purbeck, Dorset (between Lulworth Cove and Kimmeridge)
Parking:
There is limited parking at Tyneham Village, free of charge but suggested donation boxes are available.
Access:
Access is via footpaths and tracks. Some uneven surfaces. Not fully wheelchair accessible.
Dog-friendly:
Dogs are permitted but must be kept on leads at all times due to livestock and military land use.
Family-friendly:
Suitable for families, though young children should be supervised due to uneven paths and old structures.
Facilities:
No permanent facilities in the village. No cafés or toilets on site.
Best time to visit:
Spring to autumn, during Ministry of Defence public access periods.
Time needed:
Allow 1–2 hours to explore the village and surrounding area.
Opening access:
Tyneham is located on active Ministry of Defence land and is only open to the public at certain times. Always check access dates before visiting.
Nearby places to visit
- Lulworth Cove
- Kimmeridge Bay
- Worbarrow Bay
Check firing times affecting Tyneham Village
How To Get To Tyneham Village
Tyneham village doesn’t have its own postcode, however it’s averagely well sign posted in the Lulworth Cove area.
What 3 Words for Tyneham Village is Laws.Processes.Reflect. The nearest postcode is BH20 5DE, however your sat nav wont direct you there with this post code. It will however allow you to see the road signs to Tyneham Village, allowing you to find your way.
The last three miles to the village car park are narrow and quite twisty. The road takes an ascent which offers amazing views across the countryside for the passengers in the car.
A hair pin turn to your right at the top of the hill continues your journey down another narrow road to the car park. There is ample car parking, but as the village is only open on selected dates, it can get busy.
A suggested donation of £2 is asked for in the donation boxes provided for car parking. Other than the parking donation, this is a great way to enjoy a free day out in Dorset.
Tyneham Abandoned Village
The abandoned buildings are still partially standing in Tyneham Village. You can visit all the ruins which have information points inside letting you know the history of where you are standing.
Tyneham got its first telephone box in 1929, and whilst the one you will see isn’t the original, a replica stands in the same position.
There were four thatched properties along The Row. Number 1 was the school house, Number 2 the Labourer’s Cottage. Number 3 was the Post Office and Number 4 was the Shepherd’s Cottage.
The school house has been refurbished to show a replica of a 1920’s classroom. Tyneham School had a classroom until 1932 when the attendance was so low, the children were sent to Corfe Castle school.
The outlaying cottages such as the Gardener’s Cottage and Gwyle Cottages are fenced off due to safety. There are however plenty of information boards around to let you know the history and who lived where.
The church in the middle of the village now holds an exhibition of the village life in Tyneham.
Visiting Tyneham Village is also dog friendly, as long as dogs are kept on leads. There are no waste bins available so all waste will need to be taken home with you.
Worbarrow Bay
The shingle beach of Worbarrow Bay is just a mile away from Tyneham Village. This is one of the great short Jurassic Coast walks if you’re visiting Tyneham Village.
The path to Worbarrow Bay is easily signposted and there are also toilets at the start of the walk at the exit of Tyneham Village. You can also visit Tyneham Farm and the information boards. The public toilets were once the milking parlour!
Worbarrow Bay had a population of around 50 people in 1901, but when the coastguard station closed in 1911, the population dwindled.
The remaining buildings and residents were also evacuated at the same time in 1943 as the residents of Tyneham Village.
This is a great picnic spot in Dorset, and Worbarrow Bay is also one of the many dog friendly beaches in Dorset.
What an interesting place! We’ve recently been to Lulworth, but hadn’t heard of Tyneham. We’ll have to go next time we’re in Dorset.
Have visited Tyneham 3 times when on holiday at Wareham Forest and each time I notice something else that I have missed previously. The information boards are fantastic as they let you imagine back in the days when they were lived in. I would definitely go again and walk down to the beach which is lovely and pet friendly
Is possible to drive a motorhome here ?
The roads are quite narrow and twisty
This looks absolutely fascinating would love to visit where can I find dates of opening times please
the post has a link to the MOD site which provides the opening times
I cycled there last year. Lovely interesting place would have liked to go down to the bay but was told no cycling. Very disappointed
oh that’s a shame, perhaps some bike racks would be a good idea near the village so then cyclists could enjoy the walk down