Imberbus - where to go?

[Bletchleyite]

This year it looks like I'll be able to go and ride "Imberbus", the once a year bus service to the village of Imber on Salisbury Plain which was taken from its occupants by the army in World War 2 and never returned.

Has anyone here done this before and if so do you have any suggestions as to the best way to enjoy the day and where to go other than Imber village itself? There seem to be a few destinations but it's a bit unclear which are worth going to in terms of what to see (rather than just ticking off all the sections of route, which of course is a worthwhile thing in itself!)

Any thoughts?

More info for those who haven't heard of it:
https://imberbus.org/

In 2009, a group of bus industry professionals achieved a long standing ambition to run a vintage bus service from Warminster in Wiltshire, to the abandoned village of Imber on the Salisbury Plain. It proved to be so popular that it has now become an annual charity event, with most journeys continuing across the Plain to parts of Wiltshire rarely seen by ordinary public transport users.

There are only a few days each year on which the road through Imber is open to the public and we are only able to run Imberbus on one of those dates. Therefore in 2026 the Imberbus service will only run on

Saturday 15th August 2026​

when several London Transport Routemaster buses (plus a few newer ones) will be the only vehicles allowed to travel through to Imber village and on to other parts of Salisbury Plain.



As in previous years, these buses will start from outside Warminster Rail Station and will operate as an ordinary bus service (not a tour), so there is no need nor any on-line facility for passengers to reserve seats or book tickets in advance – just turned up on the day and pay the conductor on the bus or purchase a ticket from the ticket desk outside the station or from one of our roving ticket sellers.

Local residents will also be able to to travel to Imber from Chitterne, Tilshead and the Lavingtons by paying the conductor in cash on the bus.

Provisional information on what we have planned so far for this year’s event is now available on our Imberbus 2026 web page, but we may need to add to this during the summer, so please be sure to check it again during August. We will also email updates to the people that have subscribed to our mailing list, so if you would like to receive these, please add your name to our mailing list by inserting your email address into box below and clicking the “Subscribe” button.

 

[ainsworth74]

It's been some years since I visited Imberbus with a Forum trip but from memory Imber Village is obviously well worth a visit. The spread at Chitterne Village hall was decent (and there's a nice church next door), I seem to recall the timetable was designed to allow basically the perfect amount of time for a quick leg stretch and snack break before getting back on a bus. I can't really recall anything else of real interest other than enjoying riding around Salisbury Plane on buses (some open top!) and seeing the odd suspiciously German looking village

It was a very pleasant day though I do remember that! Though as I say it must easily be ten(ish) years since my visit. Certainly pre-Covid.

 

[Polarbear]

Other than Imber itself, maybe consider Chitterne and Market Lavington. Both are pleasant for a wander & there are refreshments available at both.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Catch a train to Salisbury, then a number 2 bus to West Lavington. Zero queue.