| 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 2025 it should take place on Sunday August 24th.
Click here for the church Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/upperwensleydalechurch
and website: http://upperwensleydalechurch.org/?fbclid=IwAR3tkRmXSVrTUXawb17FlRcFqg-BrrtNvhk21OrQWiZ87ZqrgYTXS42KOV0
what time is the service scheduled to start as we would like to attend this year.
Hi Gilda!
It’s at 3pm – but allow plenty of time to get parked. Hope you enjoy it!
Averil
We have recently moved to the area and intended to walk to this event do you allow dog to attend with their owners?
Hi David,
I don’t have anything to do with the organisation of the event, but I attended last year and I think somebody had a dog with them then! It’s a public area by the lakeside so it shouldn’t be a problem at all. Hope you enjoy it!
Kind Regards,
Averil