Inside the Victorian reservoir hidden beneath the streets of Nottingham

The Belle Vue reservoir has been serving Nottingham since the 1850s The Belle Vue reservoir has been serving Nottingham since the 1850s
The Belle Vue reservoir has been serving Nottingham since the 1850s | Severn Trent
The reservoir was built in the 1850s and can hold up to 10.2 million litres of water

The Nottingham we see today is very different to the city which existed 200 years ago. 

With high-rise buildings, a new tram system and quite a few industrial estates, the Nottingham of 2025 is a stark contrast to that of 1824. 

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At face value, Nottingham contains many similar features to other modern UK cities, but scratch beneath the surface (literally) and you’ll find plenty of links between the past and the present. 

The historic cave network beneath the city, dating back more than 1,000 years, is well documented. 

The caves have performed many functions over the centuries, including beer storage and even as air raid shelters during the Second World War. 

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But did you know that caves aren’t the only indication of previous eras to exist under the city? 

If you’ve ever walked along Mapperley Road, then you will have passed directly above a huge Victorian reservoir that has been quietly serving the city for more than 150 years. 

Rare photos of inside the reservoir were released in 2017 during an inspection Rare photos of inside the reservoir were released in 2017 during an inspection
Rare photos of inside the reservoir were released in 2017 during an inspection | Severn Trent

Belle Vue Reservoir was built in the 1850s and can hold 10.2 million litres of water. 

It serves around 150,000 people in the city and has provided the city with water for more than a century-and-a-half. 

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Every 10 years the reservoir, managed by Severn Trent, is completely drained to allow maintenance staff to conduct a thorough inspection. 

When the last inspection took place in 2017, Severn Trent shared a few fascinating photos from inside the reservoir. 

The brick reservoir has stood the rest of time The brick reservoir has stood the rest of time
The brick reservoir has stood the rest of time | Severn Trent

The reservoir originally had an intended lifespan of 100 years, but it’s a testament to the quality of Victorian workmanship that it continues to serve Nottingham well into the 2020s. 

At the time of the 2017 inspection Ciara Slater, Severn Trent’s service reservoir lead, said: “This really was a rare treat for us – usually the service reservoirs are full of water ready to supply our customers but, because we’ve been waiting to plan in some repairs, the reservoir was empty.

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“That meant we were able to get inside and just look at the fantastic job that the Victorians had done on building the reservoir. 

“It’s just beautiful inside – they left us a wonderful legacy that we’re intent on building on for generations to come.

The reservoir is normally filled with millions of litres of waterThe reservoir is normally filled with millions of litres of water
The reservoir is normally filled with millions of litres of water | Severn Trent

“What’s even more amazing is that I imagine that hardly anyone in Nottingham knows it’s here. 

“They walk past it every day without every realising that they’re right next to a superb piece of Victorian engineering that’s been working for 150 years to help keep their water flowing.

“It really is a hidden gem.”

With the next inspection set to take place in 2027, we at Nottingham World certainly hope to bring you a tour of the historic reservoir!

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