It is half a mile (800 m) long, covers 100 acres (0.40 km2) and lies in Raydale, opposite the River Bain.

There are three small settlements nearby: Semerwater was the subject of a number of sketches and paintings by the artist J. M. W.

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.

[6] Semerwater was featured in the British television series All Creatures Great and Small, in the episode "Female of the Species".

[7] 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.