Semerwater Lakeside Service

Where: Semerwater North Yorkshire, just South of Askrigg
When: August Bank Holiday Sunday
Time: 3pm

 

Every August Bank Holiday Sunday a special lakeside service is held on the shores of Semerwater, which coincides with the Flower Festival at Stalling Busk. The vicar of Askrigg takes the service from a small boat on the lake and the hymns are accompanied by the local band; all other activity on the lake is suspended while the event takes place so quiet descends on the beautiful dale. It’s a tradition dating back to the mid twentieth century. There is a legend that a sunken city lies under the water following a Gypsy’s curse….if you listen carefully you can hear the church bells ringing, or so I’ve been told…

Helpful Hints

Parking is available for a modest charge but you need to arrive in plenty of time. If it’s too windy for the boat, the service will be at the lakeside (like in 2011 when we went).

In 2024 it should take place on Sunday August 25th.

Click here for the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/upperwensleydalechurch

and website: http://upperwensleydalechurch.org/?fbclid=IwAR3tkRmXSVrTUXawb17FlRcFqg-BrrtNvhk21OrQWiZ87ZqrgYTXS42KOV0

View this location on the map.