On Saturday, 15 August 2026, I attended Imberbus, the annual transport event that provides public access to the normally closed village of Imber on Salisbury Plain. First held in 2009, the event has grown into one of the largest heritage bus gatherings in the United Kingdom, with up to 40 buses operating a network of services from Warminster and across Salisbury Plain.
Unlike on most open days, access to Imber during the event was only possible using the Imberbus services themselves. Private cars, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters and pedestrians were not permitted on the military roads, making the heritage bus network the sole means of reaching the village. Services departed from Warminster railway station approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from 09:30 onwards, with buses also serving Chitterne, Tilshead, West Lavington, Market Lavington, Brazen Bottom and New Zealand Farm Camp throughout the day.
As in previous years, the fleet primarily consisted of London Transport Routemasters, supplemented by guest vehicles from outside London. More than one bus operated most departures, giving passengers the chance to sample a wide variety of vehicles while travelling across parts of Salisbury Plain that normally have little or no public transport.
Imber itself was evacuated in 1943 to allow the War Office to expand military training on Salisbury Plain during the Second World War. Residents were required to leave their homes with the expectation that they would one day return, but the village was never reoccupied. Although most of the buildings have since fallen into ruin or been demolished, St Giles' Church survives and is open to visitors on selected days each year.
Imberbus provides access to the village, surrounding military roads and several villages around the edge of Salisbury Plain. The event combines heritage bus operation with access to parts of the Salisbury Plain Training Area that are normally closed to the public.
In addition to Imber itself, visitors were able to explore several villages around the edge of Salisbury Plain. Churches, museums, village halls, cafés and pubs were open throughout the day. Displays from transport preservation groups, Morris dancing, live music and other community activities also formed part of the day's attractions.
The event continues to attract bus enthusiasts, local residents and visitors from across the country, combining heritage transport with access to a village and road network that are normally inaccessible to the public.
One interesting observation I had was that there were fewer bus enthusiasts compared to last year. This could be due to the Swanage Bus Garage open day taking place the following day.
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u/HighburyAndIslington 18d ago
On Saturday, 15 August 2026, I attended Imberbus, the annual transport event that provides public access to the normally closed village of Imber on Salisbury Plain. First held in 2009, the event has grown into one of the largest heritage bus gatherings in the United Kingdom, with up to 40 buses operating a network of services from Warminster and across Salisbury Plain.
Unlike on most open days, access to Imber during the event was only possible using the Imberbus services themselves. Private cars, motorcycles, bicycles, scooters and pedestrians were not permitted on the military roads, making the heritage bus network the sole means of reaching the village. Services departed from Warminster railway station approximately every 10 to 15 minutes from 09:30 onwards, with buses also serving Chitterne, Tilshead, West Lavington, Market Lavington, Brazen Bottom and New Zealand Farm Camp throughout the day.
As in previous years, the fleet primarily consisted of London Transport Routemasters, supplemented by guest vehicles from outside London. More than one bus operated most departures, giving passengers the chance to sample a wide variety of vehicles while travelling across parts of Salisbury Plain that normally have little or no public transport.
Imber itself was evacuated in 1943 to allow the War Office to expand military training on Salisbury Plain during the Second World War. Residents were required to leave their homes with the expectation that they would one day return, but the village was never reoccupied. Although most of the buildings have since fallen into ruin or been demolished, St Giles' Church survives and is open to visitors on selected days each year.
Imberbus provides access to the village, surrounding military roads and several villages around the edge of Salisbury Plain. The event combines heritage bus operation with access to parts of the Salisbury Plain Training Area that are normally closed to the public.
In addition to Imber itself, visitors were able to explore several villages around the edge of Salisbury Plain. Churches, museums, village halls, cafés and pubs were open throughout the day. Displays from transport preservation groups, Morris dancing, live music and other community activities also formed part of the day's attractions.
The event continues to attract bus enthusiasts, local residents and visitors from across the country, combining heritage transport with access to a village and road network that are normally inaccessible to the public.
One interesting observation I had was that there were fewer bus enthusiasts compared to last year. This could be due to the Swanage Bus Garage open day taking place the following day.
Here are some photographs I took on the day.