The villages of Derwent and Ashopton vanished beneath the waters of Ladybower Reservoir in 1943, their churches, pubs, farms, schools, and homes submerged to make way for the reservoir in Derbyshire’s scenic Upper Derwent Valley.
Many visitors may not realise that these were once thriving communities, with charming streets lined with stone cottages.
Derwent was home to a small but close-knit community, complete with a school. Its most iconic building was the Church of St John & St James, built in 1867, with a tower added in 1873. When the village was demolished in 1943, the church’s spire remained standing as a memorial, eerily rising from the water. However, due to safety concerns—particularly as people swam out to climb it—the spire was later dynamited.
Another significant landmark was Derwent Hall, a grand manor house built in 1672. Surrounded by magnificent gardens, ornamental trees, and a large fishpond, it was a striking feature of the village.
Ashopton, a larger village situated along the main road between Sheffield and Glossop, was known for its bustling coaching inn, The Ashopton Inn, which served travellers passing through the area.
Last summer’s intense heatwaves and drought, brought on by historically low rainfall, caused water levels in Ladybower Reservoir to drop dramatically.
As a result, the remnants of these long-lost villages resurfaced, offering visitors a rare and haunting glimpse into the past.
1. My project-1 (26).jpg
It is nearly 80 years since two villages in the Peak District were flooded to create a new reservoir. Photo: dt
2. The start of the diversion
The start of the diversion above Ashopton. This photo gives an extent of how much of the village and surrounding land was flooded for the reservoir. Photo: DT
3. Derwent Hall
Derwent Hall in 1939. Derwent Hall was abandoned and demolished to make way for Ladybower Reservoir. The village of Ashopton, Derwent Woodlands church and Derwent Hall were also 'drowned' in the construction of the reservoir. All buildings in the village had been demolished by autumn 1943, and the water in the reservoir began to rise in 1944. Photo: Fox Photos
4. Ashopton Inn
Ashopton Inn pictured in 1936 Photo: Julia Armstrong