An old village, deliberately submerged more than 80 years back and now ‘lost underwater’, sporadically reappears, unveiling its intriguing history.
At one time, Derwent thrived as a lively village nestled in the core of Derbyshire’s Peak District. It featured charming limestone residences lining picturesque roads, providing stunning vistas of the rolling countryside that the locals called their own.
Despite its small size, the village had all essential facilities, ensuring its inhabitants seldom needed to travel far. Offering a school, church, post office, and a grand manor house with meticulously maintained gardens and a sizable fishpond, Derwent was well-equipped.
Sheep roamed the nearby hills, with a small bridge crossing a river. Housing around 50 people, this serene village took an unexpected turn between 1935 and 1943 when the decision was made to flood both Derwent and the nearby Ashopton settlement.
Naturally, the locals opposed these plans, facing the daunting prospect of leaving their homes. Despite objections, residents relocated to the nearby Yorkshire Bridge estate, and by 1943, just before the end of World War II, Derwent was converted into a vast dam, according to Yorkshire Live.
This transformation aimed to provide water to the expanding cities in the English Midlands.
Regrettably, this meant that over time, the village slowly disappeared under the water as the valley filled with rainwater, mountain runoff, and rivers. Derwent vanished, and Ladybower Reservoir took its place, with its blue waters covering what was once a thriving community.
Fortunately, the reservoir serves a crucial role, with a capacity of holding an impressive 27,869 mega litres of water, supplying the neighboring cities of Derby, Sheffield, and Nottingham. It has become a beloved spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts who admire the expansive lake nestled amidst the rolling hills of the Peak District.
However, in 2018, after an ‘exceptionally dry and hot summer’ caused a significant drop in the reservoir’s water levels, the former Derwent reemerged. As the reservoir dried up, remnants of the Derwent church, cottage doorways, and walls became visible.
Explorers among the ruins uncovered a stone fireplace, pathways near the church leading to the school, cottage walls, and debris from a small bridge. Former Derwent residents reportedly visited the reservoir and claimed to hear the church bell ringing, even though it had been removed before the village was flooded.
In 2019, Mabel Bamford, a 92-year-old former Derwent resident, shared her memories with the BBC, stating: “I may be the last person who remembers Ashopton and Derwent.”
Recalling her experiences of the village, she mentioned walking to school in Derwent while Ladybower’s construction was ongoing. Sometimes, during grouse season, shooters and beaters would give them rides. The most exciting rides were provided by the pipeline workers who would carry them inside the large black pipes being constructed at the reservoir site.
In 2022, the village resurfaced again due to similar weather conditions causing a decline in the reservoir’s water levels. This sight attracted numerous visitors eager to witness the remnants of a railway line and a briefly reappeared church.
In 2025, the village made another appearance as low water levels revealed the church ruins. It was noted that in the previous September, visitors could catch a glimpse of parts of Derwent Hall remains before heavy rainfall submerged them once more. There is a belief that the village may continue to resurface in the future, offering insights into its history.
