Semerwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Semerwater |
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Semerwater
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 Semerwater
Location in North Yorkshire
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| Location | Yorkshire Dales, England |
| Coordinates | 54°16′50″N 2°7′30″W / 54.28056°N 2.12500°W |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Max. length | 880 yards (800 m) |
| Surface area | 71 acres (28.6 ha) |
| Shore length1 | 1.4 miles (2.3 km) |
| Surface elevation | 807 feet (246 m) |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Semerwater is a beautiful natural lake located in the Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire, England. It's the second largest natural lake in this area, right after Malham Tarn. The lake is about half a mile (800 meters) long and covers an area of about 100 acres (0.4 square kilometers). It sits in a lovely valley called Raydale, across from the River Bain. If you want to visit, there's a private parking area near the lake.
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Fun Facts About Semerwater
Semerwater is a popular spot for outdoor activities! People love to go canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing on its waters. It's also a great place for fishing. Around the lake, you'll find three small, quiet villages:
- Stalling Busk
- Countersett
- Marsett
Did you know that the famous artist J M W Turner drew and painted Semerwater many years ago?
What's in a Name?
The name "Semerwater" is a bit special because it means "lake lake water"! The name was first written down in 1153. It comes from old words like sæ (meaning 'lake'), mere (also meaning 'lake'), and water. So, when people say "Lake Semerwater," they are actually saying "Lake Lake Lake Water"!
A Special Place for Nature
Semerwater is recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important place for nature and wildlife. It was first given this special status in 1975.
The Legend of Semerwater
There's an old story about Semerwater that people have told for many years.
The Stranger's Visit
The legend says that a long time ago, a rich city stood where Semerwater is now. One night, an old man (some versions say he was an angel in disguise) came to the city. He was looking for food and a place to rest. He knocked on many doors, but everyone in the city turned him away. No one would help him.
Finally, he came to a small, simple house just outside the city. A poor couple lived there, and they were very kind. They welcomed the stranger into their home and shared what little food and drink they had.
The Curse and the Flood
When the old man was ready to leave, he turned towards the city. He then said a powerful curse:
Semerwater rise, and Semerwater sink,
And swallow the town all save this house,
Where they gave me food and drink.
Another version of the story, told by local people, says:
Semerwater rise, Semerwater sink,
drown all the people In the village
except for this house which gave me meat.
As soon as he spoke these words, the waters of the lake began to rise very quickly. The water flooded the proud city, drowning all the people who had been unkind. Only the small house of the kind couple on the hillside was left untouched.
The famous poet Sir William Watson wrote a poem about this legend called The Ballad of Semerwater.
Images for kids
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Semerwater and surrounding area shown on an OS map, 1960 (scale of 1:25,000)
