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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025
Emily Sergeant
Rochdale has officially been named Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025.
Taking over the reins from Bolton – which held the title in 2024 – and following in the footsteps of Stockport before that, which held the title in 2023, and even hosted a massive ‘Town of Culture Weekender’ festival with 50+ free events to celebrate and bring its title year to a close, it’s now the turn of the north-eastern Greater Manchester borough of Rochdale.
Rochdale’s year will build on the town’s already-rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement.
More than 35 arts organisations will be bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events, and performances throughout the year.
Unfamiliar with what the ‘Greater Manchester Town of Culture’ title is all about? It’s an accolade that’s handed out every year to different boroughs across the region.
Bury was the inaugural title-holder 2020 and held onto it in 2021 too due to the COVID pandemic, before being followed by Stalybridge in 2022, Stockport in 2023, and of course, Bolton in the year just gone.
The title celebrates Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.
As well as getting a new title to shout about, it also sees the towns given a grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) culture fund to help develop a programme of cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Rochdale has been named Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ for 2025 / Credit: The Manc Group | Rochdale Council
In Rochdale’s case, you can expect the ‘very best local talent’, as this year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop, and deliver a lineup of creative activities, alongside a number of major events.
This includes the popular free days out for families, an exciting new urban arts festival, two different food and drink festivals, a lantern parade, the Ignite Fire Festival, a Pride parade, and so much more.
You can also expect live music performances, a new people’s gallery, and even some major international collaborations that are yet to be announced.
Rochdale is taking over the reins from Bolton, which held the title in 2024 / Credit: Rochdale Council
“Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history, so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era,” commented Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the borough was crowned this week.
“Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which, was incredibly exciting and ambitious, while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history.
“We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”
Featured Image – Rochdale Council
News
The Lowry Theatre undergoes revamp following Biffa Award grant
Danny Jones
The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
Georgina Pellant -
24th September 2021 
