underwater

Derwent was once a small village in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, but between 1935 and 1943 it was flooded to create a reservoir

An abandoned village, purposefully submerged over 80 years ago and now ‘lost underwater’, mysteriously resurfaces from time to time, revealing its captivating past.

Derwent was once a bustling village located in the heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District. It boasted quaint limestone cottages lining scenic streets, offering breathtaking views across the undulating countryside that its inhabitants called home.

Despite its modest size, the village had all the necessary amenities, meaning its residents rarely needed to venture far. With its school, church, post office and grand manor house, complete with immaculately kept gardens and a substantial fishpond, the village was well-provisioned.

Sheep grazed on nearby hills and a small bridge spanned a river. Home to around 50 residents, this tranquil village took an unexpected turn between 1935 and 1943 when plans were approved to flood both Derwent and the neighbouring settlement of Ashopton.

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Predictably, these plans were met with resistance from locals who faced the daunting prospect of being uprooted from their homes. Despite the objections, residents relocated to the nearby Yorkshire Bridge estate, and by 1943, just two years before World War II ended, Derwent was transformed into a vast dam, reports Yorkshire Live.

This was done to supply water to the growing cities in the English Midlands.

This tragically meant that, as time passed, the village gradually vanished beneath the water as the valley filled with rainfall, mountain runoff, and rivers. Derwent ceased to exist, and became known as Ladybower Reservoir, with blue waters engulfing what was once a thriving community.

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Fortunately, the reservoir serves an important purpose, with the capacity to hold an impressive 27,869 mega litres of water, providing supply to the neighbouring cities of Derby, Sheffield, and Nottingham. It has emerged as a beloved destination for ramblers and wildlife lovers who admire the vast lake, nestled within the undulating hills of the Peak District.

Yet in 2018, following an ‘exceptionally dry and hot summer’, which dramatically lowered the reservoir’s water levels, the former Derwent resurfaced. As the reservoir dried up, the remnants of the Derwent church emerged, alongside doorways of cottages and walls.

Those who have wandered amongst the ruins have discovered a stone fireplace, paths near the church that once guided children to school, cottage walls, and debris from a small bridge. Former Derwent residents are believed to have visited the reservoir and reported hearing the church bell ringing, despite the bell being removed before the village was flooded.

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In 2019, the BBC interviewed Mabel Bamford, a 92 year old former Derwent resident, who revealed: “I may be the last person who remembers Ashopton and Derwent.”

Recounting her memories of the village to the BBC, she said: “I was going to school there, even as the construction of Ladybower was underway. We had to walk one and a half miles to Derwent. Sometimes the shooters and beaters in grouse season gave us a lift. But the rides we liked best were offered by the pipeline workers. They’d lift us inside the big black pipes they were constructing at the site of the reservoir.”

In 2022, the village made another appearance due to similar weather conditions that led to a drop in the reservoir’s water levels. The sight attracted hordes of visitors keen to see the remnants of a railway line and a church that briefly resurfaced.

The village made yet another comeback in 2025, thanks to low water levels revealing the ruins of the village church. It was reported that in September of the previous year, visitors could glimpse parts of the remains from Derwent Hall, before they were subsequently submerged following heavy rainfall in the area. However, it is believed that the village may continue to re-emerge in the future, offering glimpses into its past.

The incredible tunnel is expected to be completed by 2029

The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is an immersed tunnel set to link the Danish island of Lolland with Germany’s Fehmarn island. This remarkable tunnel beneath the Baltic Sea, expected to become one of the world’s longest underwater structures, is due for completion by 2029.

Spanning 18 kilometres (11 miles), the Fehmarnbelt tunnel will drastically reduce journey times between Scandinavia and mainland Europe. Femern described the tunnel as “Denmark’s largest infrastructure project and the world’s longest immersed tunnel and rail link”.

The project carries an estimated price tag of DKK 55.1billion (£6.4billion), with the European Union providing approximately 1.3billion euros (£1.1billion) in funding.

Femern outlined that an immersed tunnel represents a “safe, tested and efficient way of building an underwater tunnel”.

“The technology is Danish-developed and builds on experiences from, among others, the Øresund Tunnel. Once completed, the tunnel will not pose any obstacle to vessel traffic in the Fehmarnbelt. Marine safety is also a top priority during the construction phase.

“The Fehmarnbelt tunnel will be just as safe as a corresponding section of motorway above ground. The tunnel is equipped with continuous hard shoulders and emergency exits along its entire length.”

The Institution of Civil Engineers highlighted that the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel will rest atop the seabed, marking it as “a remarkable engineering feat”. “Weighing in at 73,500 tonnes apiece, these colossal structures are a testament to modern engineering. Once a tunnel element is ready to be shipped, waterproof bulkheads (barriers) are installed at both ends, and the segment is carefully towed into position by tugboats.

“In total, 89 elements will be connected sequentially – much like assembling giant Lego pieces – to form the complete tunnel.”

This roundabout is the only one of its kind.

Travellers venturing to the Faroe Islands might be taken aback to discover the world’s first underwater roundabout during their visit.

The roundabout sits within the Eysturoy Tunnel, which was inaugurated four years ago in December 2020 and has significantly reduced journey times between the different islands in the archipelago.

Whilst positioned roughly midway between Scotland and Iceland, the Faroe Islands form part of the Kingdom of Denmark, though they’ve enjoyed self-governance since 1948.

The islands’ position means that unpredictable weather conditions can pose challenges for travel, prompting the development of an extensive tunnel network – 17 on land and four beneath the sea, with the deepest point sitting 187m (613ft) below sea level.

The Eysturoy Tunnel and its roundabout are thought to have slashed journey times from the capital, Torshavn, to the village of Runavik from an hour and 14 minutes down to a mere 16 minutes, reports the Express.

The Faroe Islands comprise 17 populated islands alongside numerous smaller islets and reefs.

Speaking about the tunnel network, Súsanna Sørensen, marketing manager of Visit Faroe Islands, remarked: “Though we are 18 islands, we often joke that we defy the fact that we are islands (thanks to the tunnels).”

Whilst the prospect of navigating an undersea tunnel in the Northern Atlantic might seem daunting, the tunnels were designed with precisely this concern in mind.

Teitur Samuelsen, chief executive of Eystur-og Sandoyartunlar, the firm running the tunnels, said: “The tunnels are designed by the world’s leading engineers and geologists, so safety with regards to the Atlantic above is not an issue.”

According to CNN, the Eysturoy Tunnel is “magical” to navigate, with the roundabout appearing so dramatic that its colours have drawn comparisons to the Northern lights, or even jellyfish.

And it’s not only this tunnel that boasts visual appeal – artwork and installations feature in several of the other tunnels as well.

Take the Sandoy Tunnel, for instance, which links the islands of Streymoy and Sandoy. It’s adorned with glow-in-the-dark totems, paying tribute to figures from Faroese folklore.

Speaking about the choice to invest in embellishing these tunnels, Teitur Samuelsen remarked: “We have a lot of good art in the Faroes, and we’d like to support our artists. In addition, it breaks up the monotony in a long, dark tunnel, so it’s good for driving safety.”

A MASSIVE new waterpark with record-breaking rides is set to open this year.

Aquarabia will be part of the massive Qiddiya City complex in Saudi Arabia.

The desert-themed waterpark will have 22 rides, across nine themed zones as well as 22 dining outlets and seven shopping stores.

Set to cost $750million (£556million), it makes it one of the most expensive waterparks every built.

Four of the rides will break the current world records, including Junoon Drop, the world’s tallest and longest watercoaster at 12-storeys high.

The tallest water slide, tallest mat racer slide and tallest drop body slide will inside the water theme park.

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The Entry Plaza will have dining and shopping, along with the Arabian Peak.

Other themed areas include Dhub Grotto, which will have the world’s largest waterplay structure with climbing, bridges and slides.

Wave pools and rapids will be in Wadi Wadi while an ‘underwater’ adventure ride will be part of Viper Canyon.

An on-site surfing lagoon will also be part of the complex, with lessons for both beginners and experts.

Extreme water sports will be part of the attraction too.

Kayaking and rafting as well as canyoneering and cliff jumping at the Herding Ground.

It doesn’t have an official opening date yet but it is rumoured to be in early March.

Ticket prices are also yet to be confirmed.

It comes after the opening of the new Six Flags in Riyadh, also with its own record-breaking attractions.

This includes Sirocco Tower, the world’s tallest free-standing shot tower ride, and Falcons Flight, the world’s fastest and tallest rollercoaster

Inside will be six themed lands – Steam Town, City of Thrills, Twilight Gardens, Grand Exposition, Valley of Fortune and Discovery Springs.

It is the first Six Flags park built outside of North America.

Also at Qiddiya City, will be a two-level racetrack, which hopes to one day be the host of the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Called Speed Park, the track is set to open in 2027.

SPOTTING yet another shark, my sister Hayley shouts: “Quick! There are loads over here,” pointing towards the edge of the reef.

We’ve only just jumped into the sea on our 90-minute guided snorkelling trip, £53 each, so I decide to closely follow the guide instead, who points out moray eels, box fish and spotted eagle rays, plus the aforementioned reef sharks, which are thankfully harmless.

There is coral aplenty, and it’s teeming with sea life in every colour of the rainbow, as if I’ve swum straight into a scene from Finding Nemo.

Water View

Staying in a water villa at Oblu Xperience Ailafushi – complete with an outdoor rainfall shower and deck with a ladder straight into the turquoise water below – offers the classic Maldives experience.

The sound of the waves lapping beneath us is more calming than any white noise track I’ve listened to.

Thankfully, this all-inclusive resort on Ailafushi island is not solely aimed at couples, unlike many luxury getaways in the Maldives.

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Even better, it’s just a 15-minute speedboat ride from the capital Malé, which works out much cheaper than a sea-plane transfer.

The main restaurant, Element X, is a buffet eatery, which also helps keep costs down.

Here, we find dishes from all over the world, but it’s the Indian selection with rich, buttery paneer masala, spicy lentil daal and fresh roti, that most hits the spot.

All the action on Ailafushi centres around the main pool, the X360 bar and the neighbouring beach, where water shoes prove handy for the coral.

Daily activities include aqua Zumba, water polo and volleyball, plus a DJ hits the decks at sunset.

There’s even a twice-weekly foam party, which reminds us of teenage trips to Ibiza.

After a few frozen piña coladas, the nightly karaoke proves entertaining, and there’s a games room complete with pool tables, board games and huge screens playing live sport.

But it’s the water slide that drops you straight into the Indian ocean that becomes our favourite activity.

Beach Happy

At the other side of the island – a 10-minute stroll away – we find the Elena Spa And Wellness Centre, one of the Maldives’ largest spas, with landscaped tropical gardens that blend indoors with outdoors.

My treatment room overlooks the beach, and beneath the spa soundtrack I can hear the gentle sound of the waves.

The Balinese massage, £57 for 60 minutes, melts away tension from our long flight, while Hayley’s detoxifying lymph massage leaves her abs looking super-sculpted.

As well as treatments, there’s a steam room, sauna and salt water infinity pool, £8 for an hour, plus a juice bike which you can pedal to blend your fruits of choice.

Later, on the 90-minute dolphin cruise, which costs £53 each, we camp out on the bow of the boat, and are soon fortunate enough to spy a pod complete with a calf leaping out of the water just as the sunset turns the sky orange.

We celebrate with a delicious five-course lobster-themed beach dinner from The Copper Pot food truck, £60 each, that includes brown butter lobster tortellini, poached lobster, fennel and mango salad and a gigantic lobster thermidor.

Another ray in paradise

Our most memorable evening is spent at Oblu’s underwater restaurant Only Blu.

At 6.8m below sea level, we tuck into three courses with wine pairings, and marvel at the marine life on the other side of the super-sized windows.

As we’re feasting on scallops with pickles and cauliflower, and Maldivian yellowfin tuna poke, a 5ft-long nurse shark glides past and hundreds of tiny fish quickly dart into the reef to camouflage themselves among the coral.

It’s not long before we spy a similar-sized blacktip reef shark, and I lose count of the number of rays that appear alongside brightly coloured trigger and lion fish, before my main course of melt-in-the-mouth, pan-fried reef fish with corn mash and an olive and caper emulsion arrives.

A gulab jamun cheesecake and rich deconstructed banoffee pie don’t disappoint either, and the night proves well worth the extra £95 each.

With the fish still entertaining us just a few feet away, if we could, we’d both happily stay here until sunrise.

ISLE BE BACK

Meanwhile, writer Samantha Rea found joy on the island of Sark.

The “toast rack” – which is basically a row of benches on a trailer pulled by a tractor – is chugging me uphill from the harbour.

With no seat belts or doors, I hold on for dear life.

But seeing as only tractors and horse-drawn carriages are allowed on the tiny isle of Sark (yes, there are no cars!), this is the best way to reach The Avenue, Sark’s main street.

And at £1.80 a ride, it’s worth a go.

Sitting in the English Channel, just off the French coast, Sark is 3.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide with some fab foodie gems.

At Caragh Chocolates, I decorate truffles and a huge slab with hazelnuts, fudge and cranberries alongside owner Caragh, before leaving with my delicious creations.

Ninety-minute workshops cost £45 (Caraghchocolates.com).

While at cosy Nova’s Bistro, portions are generous and the rich beef stew with pastry lid, £26, and treacle tart, £9.50 (@Novas. bistro) are well worth the 20-minute walk from Stocks Hotel, where I’m kipping

I walk off some of my indulgence the next day on a one-hour tour of La Seigneurie House and Gardens, with its gorgeous fountains, bridges and chapel. It’s owned by a family who are like Sark’s royals and has a fascinating history. Entry costs £8 (Laseigneurie desercq.uk).

Sark is also great for wild swimming – the best spots being Dixcart Bay, Les Fontaine Bay and La Grande Greve.

Meanwhile, if you want to see the Milky Way once night falls, head to Sark Observatory, £10 (Darkskyisland. co.uk).

And just like the song, you’ll hopefully soon be counting stars. . .

UK flights to Guernsey cost from £100 return. Ferries to Sark cost from £38.50 return (Sarkshipping.gg).

Double rooms at Stocks Hotel cost from £250 B&B (Stockshotel.com).