The ancient stone Bessom Bridge, dating back to Victorian times, has been revealed due to months of dry weather and prolonged heat. The bridge was submerged nearly 50 years ago during the creation of Wimbleball Reservoir at Exmoor National Park in Somerset.
In the summer, the Environment Agency declared Wimbleball as one of the top three lowest reservoirs in the country, with levels recorded as "exceptionally low". As of 27 September, South West Water reported the reservoir's capacity at 21.1%.
Dr Lucy Shipley, historic environment record officer for Exmoor, noted the changing landscape and asked visitors to refrain from walking on the dried-up section of the reservoir, suggesting the historic bridge could be enjoyed from afar.
Other archaeological finds, including a Bronze Age barrow, are also beneath the lake. Elsewhere in the county, centuries-old gardens were found in Bishop's Palace in Wells and relics at Glastonbury Abbey, attributed to record-breaking summer temperatures.
Wimbleball Reservoir, which supplies water to hundreds of thousands of homes across the South West, has a capacity of 21,320 megalitres. The National Drought Group has indicated that recent rain has not been sufficient to replenish supplies, and drought conditions will persist until rivers, groundwater, and reservoirs return to normal levels.