Semerwater () is the second largest natural lake in North Yorkshire, England, after Malham Tarn. It is half a mile (800 m) long, covers and lies in Raydale, opposite the River Bain within Yorkshire Dales National Park. A private pay and display parking area is at the foot of the lake.
Semerwater attracts canoers, windsurfers, yachtsmen and fishermen. There are three small settlements nearby: Stalling Busk Countersett Marsett.
The Semerwater Stomp is an annual run using part of the Dales Way and the footpaths leading down to the lake.Yorkshire Dales National Park, DalesRunner 40km and Semerwater Stomp, accessed on 18 July 2026
Semerwater was the subject of a number of sketches and paintings by the artist J. M. W. Turner.Tate website
Semerwater is a pleonastic place name. The name, first recorded in 1153, derives from the Old English elements sæ 'lake', mere 'lake' and water. The form "Lake Semerwater" introduces a fourth element with the same meaning: 'Lake LakeLakeLake'.
The lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, first notified in 1975.
Legend According to an old legend, Semerwater was once occupied by a prosperous city. One night an old man (or in some versions, an angel in disguise) came down to the city, in search of food and drink. He went from door to door, and at each house he was turned away. Finally, he came to the hovel of a poor couple just outside the town; the couple took him in and treated him with great kindness.
When the stranger was about to leave, he turned to face the town and uttered the curse:
An alternative version as told by locals:
And as soon as this was said, the waters of the lake rose up and flooded the village, drowning the proud inhabitants and leaving only the hovel of the poor couple on the hillside unscathed.The Legend of Semerwater
The legend was the subject of a poem, The Ballad of Semerwater, by Sir William Watson.The Ballad of Semerwater
Popular culture Semerwater was featured in the British television series All Creatures Great and Small, in the episode "Female of the Species"."Semer Water, N Yorks, UK – All Creatures Great & Small, The Female Of The Species (1988)" - Waymarking.com
Semerwater is referenced in Sarah Moss's 2020 novel "Summerwater", the title of which stems from a character misremembering the name of the lake and the poem associated with it.
References
External links
Lake Semerwater website