The lost village submerged beneath a lake that has now reappeared
The old dry stone walls that once separated farmer's field can currently be seen stretching across the lake's floor, as well as the 17th-century humpback bridge and the remains of streets left behind
Beneath Haweswater Reservoir in the Lake District lies a forgotten village that has been submerged in the lake’s depths for decades.
The hamlet has been hidden for such a long time that many visitors familiar with the area would have no idea that there had ever been a settlement there. Although it sometimes appears in glimpses during heatwaves, it is normally concealed from view.
But now, due to low water levels in the reservoir – which supplies Manchester with drinking water – the hamlet’s 17th-century humpback bridge and outline of its former streets have reappeared, giving a glimpse of the lost ‘Atlantis’ village that lies beneath.
Once home to a small settlement that had sat in the Haweswater valley, Mardale Green was mostly occupied by farmers and was home to a close-knit community for many years before it was razed to the ground by the Manchester Corporation, now United Utilities.
There is thought to have only been twelve houses in Mardale Green, as well as a school, church, and pub called The Dun Bull Inn – which, according to The National Trust, was locally famous for its ‘autumnal shepherds’ meet’ held annually on the third Saturday of November.
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But when permission was granted by Parliament by way of an Act allowing the Manchester Corporation to build the reservoir here in order to supply urban areas in the north-west, a way of life ended in this beautiful part of Cumbria.
Regarded by many as Westmorland’s loveliest valley, there was some considerable upset and upheaval as villagers were evacuated and farms and houses were blown up by the Royal Engineers – who used the exercise as demolition practise.
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Even the village’s coffins were dug up from their resting place in the local graveyard and re-buried at nearby Shap.
The exception to the destruction was the village’s small church, which was dismantled brick by brick and then reassembled to become the water take-off tower that today sits on the western edge of the reservoir.
Typically the depth of the reservoir. near Penrith, sits between 21.56m and 31. b39m since records began and when it’s full, it can hold up to 84 billion litres of water
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But in the past year, it has fallen significantly – recorded as sitting between 15.1m and 31.94.
This week water levels have been especially low – recorded at 16.76m on Monday 20 September and falling. At times like this, some like to go and see what is left of the village and take a walk around the area.
The old dry stone walls that once separated farmer’s field can currently be seen stretching across the lake’s floor, as well as the 17th-century humpback bridge and the remains of streets left behind.
The only building of any note that is left in the area today is the grand art deco Haweswater Hotel, built to replace The Dun Bell Inn (and rehome its landlady) in 1937.
Its current landlord is an enthusiastic local historian, and for those who are interested some interesting artefacts of the lost village can be seen here.
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In the hotel’s hall, a glass case contains a model of the old Mardale church – whilst in the public rooms, you’ll find some fascinating photographs of life in the village before it was drowned.
Roughly two hours drive from Manchester, today the reservoir is managed by the RSPB and home to one of the last golden eagles in the country. It remains a popular walking spot for ramblers and hikers.
Chris Brown tour WILL go ahead after singer released on £5m bail
Daisy Jackson
Chris Brown’s tour looks set to go ahead after the R&B star was released on bail today.
The singer is set to play four nights at the Co-op Live in Manchester as part of his Breezy Bowl XX tour.
But the tour was thrown into doubt when Chris Brown was arrested at the luxury The Lowry hotel just weeks before his first live dates.
He was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm on Thursday 15 May and remanded into custody.
Today, it’s been announced that the ‘Forever’ star will be freed from prison in time for his world tour – but he must pay a £5 million security fee to the court.
The 36-year-old will be able to continue with his tour as part of his bail conditions, Judge Tony Baumgartner told the court.
He’s currently facing a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, relating to a bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago against music producer Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub.
Abe Diaw has alleged that Brown ‘smashed him over the head with a bottle’ in the attack on him, at around 3am at Tape nightclub.
Chris Brown has 10 UK tour dates in the pipeline as part of his ‘Breezy Bowl XX tour’, which includes four at the Co-op Live on 15, 16, 24 June, and 3 July 2025.
A club night where you can’t get in without a hat is making its way to Manchester
Thomas Melia
There’s a club night happening in Manchester where you won’t be let in unless you wear a hat, and they really mean it, too.
Anyone wanting to go to this club night better get their thinking caps on as well as a physical hat too, because you’re actually not allowed into the venue without one of these fashion accessories on.
Club rules change over time and typically include your usual “No trackies, no joggers”, but instead of permitting you from the clothes you can wear, this club night wants you to bring an item with you: a hat.
They say home is wherever you lay your hat, turns out the party is too.
You could have your own bucket hat moment at this Manchester club night.Everyone has a cowboy hat hanging around somewhere… right?Credit: The Manc Group
Boldly-named club night ‘Don’t F**k with Disco’ is coming to Manchester and has one very simple rule “No hat, no entry”, so if you’ve bought your ticket you better get trying on some headpieces, stat.
One headwear item that never seems to go out of style is the cowboy hat, partly thanks to flurries of fans sporting these at Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour, Chappell Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’ phenomenon, the resurgent country music scene and so on.
Or why not box off two outfits at once by getting yourself a bucket hat, which has you covered for this hat-wearing night out and Oasis’ gigs, if you managed to get your hands on those pesky tickets.
There’s an endless list of headwear you could sport to this hat-wearing club night, and we’re sure anyone thinking of attending will see some bold and beautiful bonnets.
The venue hosting ‘Don’t F**k with Disco Manchester’ is Un:Titled Studio in Salford which is trading in its photography studio title for one night and transforming itself into a clubbing hotspot.
A Manchester club night all about hats? This Guinness one seems very fitting. Why have one bucket hat when you can have two?
This photography studio can host up to 700 guests in its largest room, titled ‘Studio 1’, with two other smaller indoor rooms and a larger outdoor space which boasts an impressive 750 capacity, wow.
This hat-wearing club night frenzy is coming to Un:Titled Studio on Saturday, 24 May from 10pm all the way through to 4am, so you can top your night off by dancing until the early hours.
Anyone looking to attend ‘Don’t F**k with Disco Manchester’ can find tickets HERE, just remember the golden rule… “No hat, no entry”.
See you on the dancefloor – we’re thinking something like a rhinestone Stetson…