Tyneham Unravelled: an exhibition and public consultation

Following a public consultation event in July 2022, we exhibited an illustrated scroll, a site model, and artist's book at Tyneham on 15th and 16th August 2025, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. The work set out to enhance visitors' experience by revealing hidden social, political, and historic stories, and to contribute towards the preservation of the heritage. These illustrative methods and the sharing of expanded narratives were new to this site and other MoD heritage sites. The exhibition included public consultation to seek feedback about the work and its impact, and feedback was also collected from key stakeholders (the MoD and the National Tank Museum).

An exhition that included an illustration about the history of Tyneham, a site model and an artist's book. Visitors were asked for feedback to reveal whether the worked enhanced visitors understanding of the site.

We are collating our findings; however, feedback from the public and stakeholders (including the MoD's DIO and the National Tank Museum) suggest that the work has value in engaging the public, expanding the narratives that are understood about the village - including the social, political, and historic contexts - and contributing towards the preservation of heritage stories. Our findings will be expanded in associated journal articles. In addition, the MoD would like to expand the practices to The Epynt, a similar site in Wales, and install a permanent exhibition of the work at Tyneham. The work is also to be included in the DIO's annual journal, on the Tank Museum's website, and could be used as part of an exhibition at the Tank Museum in 2028.