Picture Special: Imberbus 2025
23 August 2025
ABOVE: One of the last batch of Park Royal bodied Regent Vs for East Kent, 7946 (MFN 946F) is or was part of Stagecoach's heritage collection. It is seen on the road from Chitterne to Tilshead, not far from Tilshead Garage. All photos in this article were taken on Saturday 16 August 2025.
The Story So Far: Imber Village
Nobody lives in Imber in Wiltshire. Nobody has lived here for over 80 years. It was once a real English village, bustling with life like any other English village.
But Imber village is long gone. Only the church survives.
Perhaps if one listens quietly, one might hear a ghost from the past. Apart from the birds in the trees surrounding the church, there's nothing else to hear. No-one goes to the grave of a relative or ancestor here - they're not allowed to.
The year everything changed was 1943. That was the year when the soldiers came and took over the villlage, forcing the villagers out, so that this rural spot, the only village in miles, could be used as a military training ground in preparation for D-Day. Away from prying and spying eyes in wartime, away from anyone who might notice something was going on, away from everything.
Few who are alive now will have known the residents of Imber. The residents who were given less than seven weeks' notice by the War Office to pack up their things and leave the village behind.
To leave behind their homes, their businesses, their farmland. To leave behind their memories; their hearts and their souls.
There was a promise to give the village back, after the War. But it never happened. There were petitions. There were protests. But no-one was let back in. To this day, it's part of the Ministry of Defence's land, out-of-sight and out-of-bounds. When there isn't an exercise underway, the village of Imber is so silent you can hear a pin drop.
A dead village from another era.
But once a year, the buses come... And they bring the village back to life. They bring people to Imber in their hundreds. Every bus filled to capacity. Morris dancers and brass bands set up outside the church, people queue five-deep to look inside the church. They bring picnics. They wander along the main road to watch the buses and think about what happened to the villagers all those years ago.
Just for one day, Imber lives again, like something out of Brigadoon. More life now than Imber probably ever saw when it actually was a proper village.
Once a year, this usually forgotten ghost village hosts Imberbus.
But Imber village is long gone. Only the church survives.
Perhaps if one listens quietly, one might hear a ghost from the past. Apart from the birds in the trees surrounding the church, there's nothing else to hear. No-one goes to the grave of a relative or ancestor here - they're not allowed to.
The year everything changed was 1943. That was the year when the soldiers came and took over the villlage, forcing the villagers out, so that this rural spot, the only village in miles, could be used as a military training ground in preparation for D-Day. Away from prying and spying eyes in wartime, away from anyone who might notice something was going on, away from everything.
Few who are alive now will have known the residents of Imber. The residents who were given less than seven weeks' notice by the War Office to pack up their things and leave the village behind.
To leave behind their homes, their businesses, their farmland. To leave behind their memories; their hearts and their souls.
There was a promise to give the village back, after the War. But it never happened. There were petitions. There were protests. But no-one was let back in. To this day, it's part of the Ministry of Defence's land, out-of-sight and out-of-bounds. When there isn't an exercise underway, the village of Imber is so silent you can hear a pin drop.
A dead village from another era.
But once a year, the buses come... And they bring the village back to life. They bring people to Imber in their hundreds. Every bus filled to capacity. Morris dancers and brass bands set up outside the church, people queue five-deep to look inside the church. They bring picnics. They wander along the main road to watch the buses and think about what happened to the villagers all those years ago.
Just for one day, Imber lives again, like something out of Brigadoon. More life now than Imber probably ever saw when it actually was a proper village.
Once a year, this usually forgotten ghost village hosts Imberbus.
Welcome to Imberbus 2025
The buses have been coming every year since 2009, in increasing numbers, but I only made it here for the first time in 2023, and again in 2024.
Imberbus 2025 was held on Saturday 16 August 2025. There were around 40 buses (and one coach) working on Imberbus service 23A. Fewer than before were traditional London Transport Routemasters this time (I counted 12 plus one RT - techically one of the Routemasters wasn't built for London Transport). Alongside, though, was a wide selection of buses old and new, from London and across southern England. Vehicles from the 1950s and 1960s, right up to modern electric 25-reg buses, showcased by their proud owners for us all to enjoy.
Here is a pictorial souvenir of another memorable day in the heart of forbidden Wiltshire, starting - as most do - from Warminster.
Warminster
ABOVE: The traditional vehicles for Imber have always been preserved London Transport Routemasters, such as RM 54 (LDS 279A), which is seen here turning from Fairfield Road into Station Road in Warminster.
ABOVE: Preserved vehicles come from various parts of the country to work at Imberbus. L8515 (969EHW) is a Bristol Lodekka with a Gardner engine, and was part of a batch of buses delivered to the Bath operating subsidiaries of the Bristol Omnibus Company. It is in Station Road in Warminster. The queue, which runs up to the Routemaster bus in the background, may look scary, but it clears surprisingly quickly!
ABOVE: Long Routemaster RML 2735 (SMK 735F) survived into the privatised era of London Bus operation, and latterly worked with CentreWest, a First Group company. This bus carries suitable branding for the 23A and is owned by the Hendy and Pendle Charitable Trust - the operator of Imberbus.
ABOVE: Traditionally, Imberbus is a London event, with London-style bus stops used across the network. However, Station Road, Warminster also had this Manchester Bee Network bus stop flag (both sides shown). I wonder, if one were to ring the number on the flag, whether the person on the other end would know anything about the 23A?!
ABOVE: Imberbus has also become a showcase for operators to show off new vehicles. Transport UK 3124 (LV25 CVF) is a Wright StreetDeck Electroliner, and was one of a number of electric buses in use.
West of Imber
ABOVE: Delaine Heritage Trust brought Volvo Olympian 116 (M1 OCT), which was new in 1995 and worked for Delaine's of Bourne until 2016. This is just inside the restricted area.
Imber VIllage
ABOVE: A few buses and coaches come to Imber just to be displayed, and are not used in service. One of these (unless anyone knows differently) was MOD 973, a 1952 Bristol/ECW LS6G integral coach which was used on Royal Blue coach services. This was new to Southern National as its 1286. It is passing through the main street in Imber Village Centre. Only the Church (out of view on the right) survives in Imber. The hollowed-out buildings surrounding it - specially built by the Military for training purposes - are a poignant and humbling sight.
ABOVE: The heart of Imber VIllage is one of the focal points of this event. More than half a century separates the two buses in this shot. On the right is 145 (JAM 145C), a 1967 (so the same age as me!) Swindon Corporation Daimler CVG6 with Northern Counties bodywork. This was one of the last front entrance half cab Daimlers.
Stagecoach South East sent a couple of recent-delivery ADL Enviro400 MMCs, including 11817 (SK24 CKO, left), in the new Stagecoach corporate livery. Meanwhile, we are travelling on a similar spec E400 MMC from Stagecoach London. Unfortunately no-one thought to clean the windows of this one before starting the long journey west.
Stagecoach South East sent a couple of recent-delivery ADL Enviro400 MMCs, including 11817 (SK24 CKO, left), in the new Stagecoach corporate livery. Meanwhile, we are travelling on a similar spec E400 MMC from Stagecoach London. Unfortunately no-one thought to clean the windows of this one before starting the long journey west.
ABOVE: Alongside the Royal Blue coach that we have already seen is EMW 284, a Beadle bodied Bristol L6B that was new to Wilts & Dorset Motor Services in 1949, with fleet number 279. Knook Camp, shown on the destination display, is located on the public road between Warminster and Chitterne.
On the right is the National Express coach that provided the direct coach return service 23X from London and Basingstoke.
On the right is the National Express coach that provided the direct coach return service 23X from London and Basingstoke.
ABOVE: Former British European Airways Routemaster KGJ 602D passes through the centre of Imber. This was the second of 65 front-entrance Routemaster "Executive Coaches" that were built for the airline, and they plied their trade running between the West London Air Terminal (West Brompton) and Heathrow Airport, pulling luggage behind them in specially-designed trailers. The vehicles later passed to British Airways, and London Transport subsequently bought the whole lot, which mainly ended up in use as staff or training buses. A few were used in service on London Transport route 175.
ABOVE: As well as carrying appropriate route and destination information, some modern buses even had their audio information and Customer Information Screens updated, including a morebus Optare Olympus and this brand new Volvo B8L MCV EvoSeti (of which more later) from Thames Travel.
ABOVE: Star of the show was this 1914 Leyland Torpedo charabanc (CC 1087), a 32-seater owned by the (original) London & North Western Railway, and carrying fleet number 59. It was brought to Imber for static display by the London Transport Museum. The vehicle has a convertible roof, but why would anyone need that on a beautiful day like this one?
Heading East
ABOVE: The eastern check point. Beyond this, we are back on public roads.
ABOVE: This single-track road will gradually lead us beack to civilisation. There's a fair prospect of meeting a bus coming the other way, which can be interesting... The road on the left is not a public road.
Gore Cross Interchange
The second Focal Point of the network is Gore Cross Interchange. As I heard someone neatly describe it, it's just a bit of gravel!
But it is important. Buses from all of the various eastern routes call here. Theoretically running every half hour, all journeys are at least duplicated, and then some, so an almost-deserted bit of gravel can quickly transform into a bustling hub with several buses in attendance, and hundreds of people milling around, as they jump from one bit of the network to another...
But it is important. Buses from all of the various eastern routes call here. Theoretically running every half hour, all journeys are at least duplicated, and then some, so an almost-deserted bit of gravel can quickly transform into a bustling hub with several buses in attendance, and hundreds of people milling around, as they jump from one bit of the network to another...
ABOVE: A first view of Gore Cross Interchange when approaching from Imber.
ABOVE: This narrow stretch of road, Littleton Down Road, is the key approach to Gore Cross, which can just be seen in the distance between the buildings of Highland Farm. It's also a major bottleneck, as we shall see...
The road straight ahead gives access to New Zealand Farm Camp, although, as we were told when we went that way, "there's nothing there"! Which is true, but there are stunning views to be had along the way. Sadly, I wasn't in the best position on this journey to capture those views.
The road straight ahead gives access to New Zealand Farm Camp, although, as we were told when we went that way, "there's nothing there"! Which is true, but there are stunning views to be had along the way. Sadly, I wasn't in the best position on this journey to capture those views.
ABOVE: Go-Ahead London Blue Triangle sent one of its new BYD BD11s, EBD 111 (LF25 SGV). It is heading into Gore Cross after a run around "the Lavingtons".
ABOVE: What some might describe as an "uncharacteristically quiet" view of Gore Cross Interchange, but it is only 10.45am. The layout is simple, comprising of three bus stops around three sides of a square. Open-top Routemaster RML 2318 (CUV 318C) stands at stop C, for Imber, Warminster and also New Zealand Farm, whilst L8515 (969EHW) which we met in Warminster, is hiding the flag for stop A (for the Lavingtons), but the flag for stop B (Tilshead and Chitterne) can just be made out to its left. There's a recovery truck parked up, and also open-top Scania N230UD Optare Visionaire 1407 (HF59 DMU) from morebus - another vehicle where special "next stop" audio announcements were being played.
It's a lovely sedate scene at the moment, but imagine it with 10 buses and hundreds of passengers, as we saw at one point later in the day!
It's a lovely sedate scene at the moment, but imagine it with 10 buses and hundreds of passengers, as we saw at one point later in the day!
ABOVE: There was only one AEC Regent III (RT) vehicle present this year - open-top RT 3435 (LYR 854), owned by the London Bus Company. I have no idea whether there is any CCTV in use in the Imber area, but I reckon that everyone who was present at Imberbus 2025 was probably caught by at least 300 cameras during the day! Perhaps you're amongst this group?
ABOVE: Here's the bottleneck that is the approach to Gore Cross, which makes it a good place to photograph buses, as only one vehicle is likely to be crossing the junction at any time. In this case it is brand-new Thames Travel 80987 (BU25 ZHK), a Volvo B8L MCV EvoSeti - note that it is a six-wheeler (probably actually 12 as most buses double-up now).
When I say "brand-new", I mean just that. The batch of 10 new Evosetis entered service on route X40 from Oxford to Reading from Sunday 3 August 2025, less than two weeks before Imberbus. Roger French had a look at them in their first week. There's another picture of this bus later.
I believe the bus behind it to be Stagecoach London 12511 (SN16 OJA), an ADL Enviro400H City. There's a further selection of vehicles visible in the distance at the Interchange, including one coach that was also taking part. I have no details of that one as coaches, sadly, don't interest me, so I ignored it all day!
When I say "brand-new", I mean just that. The batch of 10 new Evosetis entered service on route X40 from Oxford to Reading from Sunday 3 August 2025, less than two weeks before Imberbus. Roger French had a look at them in their first week. There's another picture of this bus later.
I believe the bus behind it to be Stagecoach London 12511 (SN16 OJA), an ADL Enviro400H City. There's a further selection of vehicles visible in the distance at the Interchange, including one coach that was also taking part. I have no details of that one as coaches, sadly, don't interest me, so I ignored it all day!
ABOVE: There are lots of Yutong single-deckers in Britain, but the Yutong U11DD electric has so far been a relatively rare beast. Newport Bus have two, and McGill's in Scotland have 12, but the first bulk order that I am aware of is for First Group, which now has over 100 for its Bristol, Bath & the West and Buses of Somerset subsidiaries. 30019 (YK25 OJJ) is one of the Bristol vehicles, which are all in this green WESTbus livery. This is Gore Cross Interchange again.
I've not been on one yet, but it looks promising - the windows are nice and large for views and there doesn't appear to be an intrusive screen at the front of the top deck. In many ways it reminds me of an ADL Enviro400 MMC or City, but the lights configuration at the front is the big giveaway that it's not. What looks like a green lighting strip inside is also rather a big clue!
I've not been on one yet, but it looks promising - the windows are nice and large for views and there doesn't appear to be an intrusive screen at the front of the top deck. In many ways it reminds me of an ADL Enviro400 MMC or City, but the lights configuration at the front is the big giveaway that it's not. What looks like a green lighting strip inside is also rather a big clue!
ABOVE: Here's Bath Services L8515 again, and this time we get to ride it! This is Gore Cross Interchange, and a trip around the Lavingtons awaits. This is a one-way run (the roads are incredibly tight but there are alternative routes available in this case) through Brazen Bottom, where there is even less to see than at New Zealand Farm Camp, into the large village of Market Lavington, on to West Lavington, and back to Gore Cross. A lovely ride that you must not miss if you come here!
ABOVE: Scania N230UD Optare Visionaire 1407 (HF59 DMU) from morebus leads Swindon Corporation 145 (JAM 145C) out of Gore Cross Interchange in this mid-afternoon view (3.15pm).
ABOVE: Two minutes after the previous picture, and a traffic jam has developed at the approach to Gore Cross Interchange! All buses turn right here apart from the New Zealand services which turn left. But the morebus open-topper appears to have had to move into the minor road ahead so that 145 behind it can get out of the way of RM9 (VLT 9) and Stagecoach London 11066 (YX68 UTJ, the Selkent Diplomat), approaching from the right. These kinds of jams occur regularly during the day! And, as this is a public area, no-one has been able to stop people parking their cars in the environs.
Tilshead and Chitterne
Tilshead is close to the geographical centre of Salisbury Plain and near the source of the River Till. The population in 2011 was 358, but its geographical position puts it on the route of a regular bus service, route 2 between Salisbury and Devizes (also serving Market Lavington and now on the "to-do" list)!
ABOVE: Imber buses do a double-run of Tilshead via the Village Hall (left).We are actually following RT 3435 (LYR 854), but the quirk of the double-run is bringing it back towards us! This is early in the day (10.55am), before the hoardes have worked their way through from Warminster or Imber. It becomes much livelier later!
ABOVE: A troupe of morris dancers has assembled outside Tilshead Village Hall to entertain anyone who happens to be passing! Whether part of the official Imberbus show, or just here because of it (I suspect the latter), it adds yet another fun dimension to what is already an impressive day!
ABOVE: On the road from Chitterne, RML 2699 (SMK 699F) leads Go-Coach 9001 (SK07 DZA) towards Tilshead, Gore Cross and Imber. The Go-Coach vehicle, an ADL Enviro400, has been painted in the very attractive colours of Kentish Bus. Kentish Bus was created as London Country South East in 1986; one of four London Country companies to appear when that organisation was broken up. It was rebranded as Kentish Bus in 1987. The brand disappeared in 1997 as Arriva, by then the owners of Kentish Bus, started to consolidate its holdings.
ABOVE: Arguably, the run from Tilshead to Chitterne is the most scenic part of the network. Here's why... Tilshead is behind us, and Chitterne is somewhre out-of-sight in the distance.
ABOVE: Anyone wanting a nice picture of a bus clear of any other people, traffic or other obstructions should probably go somewhere else! Here are two other photographers (one just visible on the right) who are also interested in RML 2344 (CUV 344C), which has just brought us all the way from Warminster to Chitterne, terminating outside the All Saint's and St Mary's Church, which is Grade-II* listed.
ABOVE: Having just boarded open-top morebus 1407 (HF59 DMU) outside Chitterne Village Hall, there is a sizeable crowd behind us, not all of whom will be able to board (other buses were available for the overspill, but it's understandable why so many wanted an open-top ride in the 27-degree heat).
ABOVE: Four hours or so later, here's Thames Travel 80987 (BU25 ZHK) again, loading up in Chitterne for the 1540 "direct" service to Warminster. This, and a later departure at 1610, eschew Imber and take the direct road back to Warminster, which takes about 20 minutes end-to-end, rather than 66 minutes. Sadly, even this 89-seater wasn't sufficient for the demand, and some had to take the long way back.
Amongst the other buses parked outside the church is Go-Ahead London General MEC 50 (BT09 GPJ), a Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530 currently in use on the Fastrack network in North West Kent - one of only three single-deckers I spotted at work that day.
Amongst the other buses parked outside the church is Go-Ahead London General MEC 50 (BT09 GPJ), a Mercedes-Benz Citaro O530 currently in use on the Fastrack network in North West Kent - one of only three single-deckers I spotted at work that day.
ABOVE: Here's the obligatory shot of a bus outside Chitterne Church; in this case it's Bristol Omnibus 8576 (452 XVE, originally registered 866 NHT). The bus is a Bristol FS6G/ECW convertible and was new to Bristol Omnibus in 1960. It was one of four convertibles to work summer seafront open-top services in Weston super Mare. 8579 (869 NHT) was also at Imber, working in open-top formation. The entrance can just be seen, on the right, to Chitterne Village Hall, which was selling a lovely selection of hot and cold food and home-made cakes!
And that's the end of this year's tour of Imberbus. It's a poignant journey across a region where the public is not normally allowed. It's also a fantastic day out for everyone, whether you're an historian, a bus enthusiast, a curious local or just someone looking for something very different from a normal day out!
Thanks to the organisers, the helpers, all of the bus crews and all the others involved. See you again next year!