Kielder Water in Northumberland, the UK's largest man-made lake, was created by flooding a small village more than 50 years ago. The reservoir holds 200 billion litres of water and measures 11km in length, making it the largest artificial lake in the UK.
A village sacrificed for water
Before it became Kielder Water & Forest Park, a prime tourist destination with coffee shops, pubs and tearooms, the site was a tiny village in the Northumberland countryside. More than 50 years ago, villagers were told their settlement would be flooded to create a reservoir and dam. The project was needed to meet growing demand for water to support the booming UK industrial economy.
"The area was chosen because the villages were very sparsely populated, and it gets high rainfall, twice the national average. I think one of the villages had around 14 families living there at the time, and they had to move to new homes built elsewhere," Jonty Hall from Northumbrian Water previously told ChronicleLive.
Construction and official opening
Villagers were forced to seek alternative accommodation as their houses, school, railway and farms were destroyed. Construction began in 1975, and the valley was flooded, taking two years to fill with water. The reservoir was completed in 1981, and the following year it was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II.
Today, it remains the largest artificial lake in the UK, supplying water to the rivers Tyne, Derwent, Wear and Tees.
Myths of a submerged village
Despite the village's destruction, myths persist that remnants of the settlement lie submerged. Folklore claims a church spire reappears during periods of low water, while others believe abandoned stone houses sit at the bottom of the lake.
"We get asked about it regularly, and I would love to say the myths are true, but they aren't," Jonty previously shared. "People will always be curious about what is underneath there - it will probably never go away. Before the lake was created, all the houses and buildings were flattened, and all the materials were taken away. There is nothing there."
A haven for wildlife and visitors
Kielder Water is surrounded by the largest pine forest in England, offering walking trails and cycling routes. Wildlife includes around 50% of England's red squirrel population, along with ospreys, wild goats, roe deer, salmon, otters, and water voles. The area is also known for some of the darkest night skies in the country, with the Kielder Observatory for stargazing.
Visitors have praised the site on TripAdvisor. One said: "A brilliant stretch of water - very photogenic and so big. Lovely on a sunny day, alas, my visit was in the rain, but still awesome." Another wrote: "Scenic natural beauty of the country's largest man-made lake with surrounding forests, with walks and cycle paths. three main visitor centres, a castle and numerous visual lakeside artworks." A third noted: "In a crowded country, wild places are rare. With its population of red squirrels, sea eagles, and species no longer common in England, this is the place to go."
