Gormire Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gormire Lake |
|
|---|---|
Gormire Lake, taken from Whitestone Cliff looking west across the Vale of York.
|
|
 Gormire Lake
Location in North Yorkshire
|
|
| Coordinates | 54°14′31.3″N 1°13′47.4″W / 54.242028°N 1.229833°W |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary inflows | None |
| Primary outflows | None |
| Catchment area | 74.7 acres (30.25 ha) |
| Basin countries | England |
| Surface area | 16 acres (6.4 ha) |
| Max. depth | 21 feet (6.5 m) |
| Shore length1 | 0.6 miles (0.97 km) |
| Surface elevation | 509 feet (155 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Gormire Lake is a natural lake found in North Yorkshire, England. It sits at the bottom of Whitestone Cliff, which is part of the Hambleton Hills in the North York Moors National Park. The lake is about 1.2 miles (2 km) east of the village of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe.
What makes Gormire Lake special is that it doesn't have any rivers flowing into it or out of it. Scientists believe it gets its water from an underground spring. The water then leaves through a hidden channel in the limestone cliff. People also call it the White Mere or just Gormire. The name Gormire actually means "filthy swamp."
Contents
How Gormire Lake Was Formed
Gormire Lake was created over 20,000 years ago. This happened during the last Ice Age. Huge sheets of ice moved across the land. They pushed and scraped away the soft earth. This action carved out the tall cliffs at Whitestone.
The mud and debris left behind by the ice blocked the water's path. This created a natural dam, forming the lake we see today. Gormire Lake is one of the biggest natural lakes in Yorkshire. Only three others are larger: Hornsea Mere, Malham Tarn, and Semerwater.
Protecting the Lake and Its Surroundings
Gormire Lake is a very important natural area. Because of this, it was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1954. This means it's a protected place due to its special wildlife or geology.
In 1985, the protected area grew much larger. It now includes the woodlands around the lake, called Garbutt Wood. These woods are full of broadleaf trees and grow right up to the water's edge. This larger protected area helps keep the lake and its surrounding nature safe.
Myths and Legends of Gormire Lake
Gormire Lake is famous for its many mysterious stories. One popular legend tells of a knight named Sir Harry Scriven. He tricked the Abbot of Rievaulx Abbey into letting him ride his beautiful white horse.
The knight and the abbot started a race from an inn. As they raced, the abbot suddenly changed into the devil! This scared the knight so much that he lost control of his horse. Both the knight and the horse plunged over the cliff into Gormire Lake. People say the 'devil' then jumped into the lake after them. The story claims the water boiled where the devil entered, which is why the lake is said to be dark even today.
Other Mysterious Tales
There are other strange myths about Gormire Lake too. Some people believe the lake has no bottom at all. Others say the bottom of the lake is actually an entrance to Hell.
Another story suggests there's a whole village hidden beneath the water. One funny legend tells of a goose that disappeared into the lake. It supposedly reappeared in a well in Kirkbymoorside, but it had lost all its feathers!
Swimming in Gormire Lake
Gormire Lake is a popular spot for people who enjoy wild swimming. This means swimming in natural bodies of water like lakes and rivers. Since no streams flow into the lake, the water is very calm. There are hardly any currents.
Swimmers often say the water in Gormire Lake feels quite warm. The Times newspaper even listed Gormire Lake as one of the top 20 best places in Britain for wild swimming.
