Some info from wikipedia
Tottington is a deserted village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated 6.2 miles north of the town of Thetford
During the second world war, the village was taken over by the British Army when it was incorporated into the Stanford battle area. The military ranges were needed to prepare Allied infantry for Operation Overlord, (the Battle of Normandy in 1944). Though some villagers were said to be happy to give up their homes to help the British War effort, the majority were less than enthusiastic with a number of heated village meetings and some refusing to leave the area.
However at the close of World War II, the former villagers were never allowed to return to their homes by the war office. Most of the inhabitants of Tottington were not landowners, and rented the houses and farmed the land belonging to the Walsingham estates. Though they had been promised that they could return to their homes after the war, the government later reneged on the promise and bought the land, threatening Walsingham with a compulsory purchase order. As the majority of the inhabitants were not landowners, they received very little in compensation, were put into council housing and many lost their livelihoods. They continued to fight for many years to return to their homes and farmland but the beginnings of the cold war and the need for dedicated training areas removed all chances of a return.
Since the evacuation, the village and its parish remain within the Ministry of Defence's Thetford infantry training area. Access is not permitted without special permission.
The church of St Andrew is situated at the northern end of the village. Today the roof of the church is clad in blast proof sheeting which was installed to protect the structure of the church. The original pantiles are stored inside the church ready to be restored if the village is given back to the public. The outside of the church is surrounded by wire fencing to protect the church from the military manoeuvres .
In October 2009 a World War II veteran, who had been born in the village, was buried in St Andrew's churchyard after permission for the interment was given by the Ministry of Defence. It was the first burial in the graveyard for more than 50 years.
the church was built in the 14th century
The explore
After spending the morning at raf barnham bomb stores decided to check out Tottington village.
Driving down miles of back roads we hit the training ground boundary fence and hundred keep out signs 1.5miles from location. After an hour of wondering through fields and forests with no phone signal we finally found the place
all the remaining houses are empty shells converted for army training but the church has been left alone with most the stuff still inside and the bell tower unlocked
easy explore didn't get caught or see a sole this place is in the middle of nowhere
Tottington is a deserted village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated 6.2 miles north of the town of Thetford
During the second world war, the village was taken over by the British Army when it was incorporated into the Stanford battle area. The military ranges were needed to prepare Allied infantry for Operation Overlord, (the Battle of Normandy in 1944). Though some villagers were said to be happy to give up their homes to help the British War effort, the majority were less than enthusiastic with a number of heated village meetings and some refusing to leave the area.
However at the close of World War II, the former villagers were never allowed to return to their homes by the war office. Most of the inhabitants of Tottington were not landowners, and rented the houses and farmed the land belonging to the Walsingham estates. Though they had been promised that they could return to their homes after the war, the government later reneged on the promise and bought the land, threatening Walsingham with a compulsory purchase order. As the majority of the inhabitants were not landowners, they received very little in compensation, were put into council housing and many lost their livelihoods. They continued to fight for many years to return to their homes and farmland but the beginnings of the cold war and the need for dedicated training areas removed all chances of a return.
Since the evacuation, the village and its parish remain within the Ministry of Defence's Thetford infantry training area. Access is not permitted without special permission.
The church of St Andrew is situated at the northern end of the village. Today the roof of the church is clad in blast proof sheeting which was installed to protect the structure of the church. The original pantiles are stored inside the church ready to be restored if the village is given back to the public. The outside of the church is surrounded by wire fencing to protect the church from the military manoeuvres .
In October 2009 a World War II veteran, who had been born in the village, was buried in St Andrew's churchyard after permission for the interment was given by the Ministry of Defence. It was the first burial in the graveyard for more than 50 years.
the church was built in the 14th century
The explore
After spending the morning at raf barnham bomb stores decided to check out Tottington village.
Driving down miles of back roads we hit the training ground boundary fence and hundred keep out signs 1.5miles from location. After an hour of wondering through fields and forests with no phone signal we finally found the place
all the remaining houses are empty shells converted for army training but the church has been left alone with most the stuff still inside and the bell tower unlocked
easy explore didn't get caught or see a sole this place is in the middle of nowhere
