Abandoned Communities
Since the Middle Ages thousands of towns, villages, and other human communities in Great Britain have been abandoned.
Some places have been abandoned at a single point in time, while others have been gradually depopulated until there was no-one left. In some cases the forces of nature have made a major contribution to the abandonment, but more often economic and social changes have caused people to move away, or the decision of a powerful individual, organisation, or government has compelled inhabitants to leave.
This website commemorates all abandoned communities. But we will focus on a number of specific places that have been deserted at various times, for various reasons. In each case we will consider what type of community it was, the events leading up to its abandonment, and what happened to the inhabitants after they moved away. We will also be interested in what you are likely to find if you visit the place today, and in this respect you will notice that the observations and experiences of the author will often be recorded.
As well as visiting selected places there will be opportunities to enjoy poetry and paintings associated with abandoned places. The classic poem on this subject is Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village”, but in addition it is surprising how often the places we will consider have inspired poems before, during, and after their abandonment.
We will also have a section in which paintings depicting abandoned communities will be displayed. When J M W Turner visited Dunwich, for example, there was just enough of it left to make it the subject of one of his pictures.
Readers are invited to get in touch. With comments, queries, and suggestions. This website will be revised from time to time, and you may be able to influence the direction in which it goes.
Some places have been abandoned at a single point in time, while others have been gradually depopulated until there was no-
This website commemorates all abandoned communities. But we will focus on a number of specific places that have been deserted at various times, for various reasons. In each case we will consider what type of community it was, the events leading up to its abandonment, and what happened to the inhabitants after they moved away. We will also be interested in what you are likely to find if you visit the place today, and in this respect you will notice that the observations and experiences of the author will often be recorded.
As well as visiting selected places there will be opportunities to enjoy poetry and paintings associated with abandoned places. The classic poem on this subject is Goldsmith’s “The Deserted Village”, but in addition it is surprising how often the places we will consider have inspired poems before, during, and after their abandonment.
We will also have a section in which paintings depicting abandoned communities will be displayed. When J M W Turner visited Dunwich, for example, there was just enough of it left to make it the subject of one of his pictures.
Readers are invited to get in touch. With comments, queries, and suggestions. This website will be revised from time to time, and you may be able to influence the direction in which it goes.
Stephen Fisk
18 June 2009
18 June 2009
A farmhouse and a military tent on Mynydd Epynt
Clicking on a picture will usually give you an enlarged version of it.