# Drought reveals submerged Derbyshire villages as Ladybower Reservoir falls to 32 per cent

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/ruins-of-two-lost-villages-that-were-abandoned-80-years-ago-unearthed-at-drought-hit-reservoirs/
- Published: 2026-10-26T18:33:06+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T18:47:18+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16239535/Ruins-two-lost-villages-abandoned-80-years-drought-hit-reservoirs.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Music, World

## Key points

- Drought has exposed the ruins of two flooded Derbyshire villages.
- Ladybower Reservoir is at 32 per cent capacity.
- Other English reservoirs remain critically low.

## Summary

The ruins of Derwent and Ashopton have reappeared at Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire after drought lowered water levels to 32 per cent of capacity. The villages were flooded between 1935 and 1943 to create a reservoir that supplies water to Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham and Leicester; their exposure offers a rare view of places lost beneath the water.

Aerial images show streets, stonework and the outlines of dozens of limestone cottages that once housed more than 100 people. The discovery comes amid severe water shortages in parts of England: Wimbleball Reservoir is at 13 per cent and Ardingly at 17 per cent, while officials have considered scenarios in which some reservoirs run dry.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.