The ruins of a medieval village, Nether Hambleton, have become visible as the water level of Rutland Water in the East Midlands has significantly decreased due to an ongoing drought and heatwave. The village was demolished in the 1970s to make way for the reservoir, which supplies water to approximately half a million people.
For 50 years, the remnants of Nether Hambleton, including stonework and rubble, have lain beneath the water. Now, the parched conditions have exposed these structures, with slabs of brickwork and the outlines of former buildings visible on the cracked, dry land that typically forms the reservoir bed.
Rutland Water, created by damming the Gwash valley near Empingham, was completed in 1976. The reservoir can reach a depth of 34 meters when full. The creation of the reservoir involved the relocation of residents from Nether Hambleton and other nearby villages, such as Middle Hambleton.
Archaeologists discovered evidence of a medieval settlement at the site in the early 1970s before the demolition. They identified old house platforms, what appeared to be a village green or street, and plot boundaries. During excavations, substantial stone walls, fireplaces, and yards of a medieval house platform were uncovered. Volunteers also recovered artifacts like pottery shards, medieval coins, and horseshoes. However, the excavation was cut short by the impending flooding, leaving most of the ruins submerged.
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The East Midlands, where Rutland Water is located, is one of several regions in England experiencing drought conditions. Parts of the region received only one percent of their expected rainfall in July, contributing to the significant shrinkage of the reservoir. This marks the fifth consecutive month of below-average rainfall for the area.
The UK is currently on course for its hottest summer on record. Provisional data indicates the mean temperature for the summer so far is 1.88C above the 1991-2020 average. Meteorologists suggest that if August temperatures remain only slightly below average, this summer could surpass the previous record set in 2022. For England and Wales, where temperatures have been over 2C above average, a record-breaking summer is increasingly likely. An amber warning for extreme heat was issued for parts of England for Thursday, with temperatures predicted to reach up to 38C.
Tony Grayling, the strategic drought lead at the Environment Agency and chairman of the National Drought Group, stated that drought conditions are worsening and will continue until significant rainfall occurs. He highlighted the toll on farming and the environment, urging the public to conserve water to help maintain reserves for farmers, wildlife, and rivers.