One of Yorkshire’s submerged medieval villages which was flooded a century ago to make a reservoir years ago has reappeared as a result of the falling water levels.
Scar House Reservoir in North Yorkshire’s Nidd Valley was flooded back in the 1920s, but the village including a centuries-old bridge has been revealed.
Located near the medieval farming community of Lodge and the village was run by the Cistercian abbey nearby before being sold into private ownership after King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in the mid-16th century.
The images were taken by local resident Nichola Barningham, showing old stone houses with doorways and inner walls showing, gate posts, old dry stonewalls and an old bridge.
Barningham shared the images on her Facebook page, writing: “We went for a drive out today to Scar House Reservoir. It was so low we’ve walked along lanes that possibly haven’t been walked on for 100 years. And old houses that are now showing.”
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The settlement last appeared back in the summer drought of 1995, and before it was flooded to be a reservoir was said to be home to 1,250 people. It was flooded and a dam was established to provide water to the townspeople during the 20th century.
While the revelation of this village is no doubt an intriguing part of history – it’s not exactly delightful news. The drought which has led to reservoir water levels dropping to below 50% full, has exposed the Scar House village situated in the Harrogate District.
Yorkshire Water issued a statement earlier this year to warn people about the risks of entering reservoirs even when they are not filled.
The company wrote: “Yorkshire Water continues to see people entering its 130 reservoirs on a daily basis, despite warnings about the dangers reservoirs can pose, such as cold water shock, hidden undercurrents, and operating machinery.”
Ash Roberts, public safety and safeguarding manager, also shared: “People entering our reservoirs continues to be a daily occurrence, whether that be those intending to swim or people deciding the water looks inviting.”
“We know as the weather improves the frequency of people getting into the water will increase and we are backing the NFCC campaign in a bid to raise awareness of the dangers to open water poses,” Roberts added.
The dam is made up of a million tonnes of masonry and stands at 55m high according to Yorkshire Water, which advises that the reservoirs pose risk to life, so people should be careful around them.
A spokesperson said, “People should not be entering our reservoirs to swim, or onto parts that are usually submerged.”
“They are functioning reservoirs and do pose a risk to people entering them, including cold water shock, undercurrents, unseen objects and machinery working under the water.”
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