Chew Valley Lake is a serene retreat for nature lovers and sailing enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views and abundant wildlife year-round. However, during dry spells in the summer, the remnants of Moreton, a village inundated in the 1950s to create the reservoir, become visible, evoking echoes of the past.
Before the construction of the lake, Moreton thrived with farms and houses, as depicted in Leslie Ross’s book “Before the Lake: Memories of the Chew Valley.” The history of habitation in the area dates back to ancient times, with evidence of Stone and Iron Age artifacts discovered through archaeological excavations.
However, the village met its watery fate as Bristol Water carried out the flooding between 1953 and 1955, wiping out much of the tangible history. Even though artifacts from the submerged village are preserved in the Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, the lost village continues to stir emotions and reflections among locals and visitors alike.
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Tim Holmes from Bristol lamented the loss, acknowledging Moreton’s significance recorded in the Domesday Book and its ties to an ancient nunnery and a gunpowder mill. As the water level recedes in the summer, the ghostly outlines of roads, hedges, and trees resurface, offering glimpses of Moreton’s bygone era that continue to captivate observers.