History of the Rutland Water

Rutland Water. Picture courtesy of Anglian Water

Rutland Water, or Empingham Reservoir as it was then known (after a nearby village), was built in the 1970s to satisfy a perceived need for water in fast-expanding new towns such as Corby, Kettering and Milton Keynes.

The idea of building Europe's largest reservoir in Britain's smallest county understandably roused the wrath of local people, who plastered 'Don't Flood Rutland' posters over any surface they could find. The village of Nether Hambleton, the historic church at Normanton, and countless acres of prime agricultural land were all set to disappear under the water.

Their objections were to no avail. Amid massive upheaval, roads were rerouted, ancient hills became peninsulas, archaeological relics were unearthed and then buried. A massive dam was constructed near Empingham; miles of pipes were laid underground; and the timeless landscape of the Gwash Valley was changed forever.

But 25 years later, Rutlanders are rather proud of their reservoir. The vast expanse of water has blended into the gentle rolling landscape surprisingly well, with superb views available for anyone driving from the county town of Oakham to nearby Uppingham or Stamford. The county also boasts another (smaller) reservoir, Eye Brook, just south of Uppingham - making it a miniature Lake District.