Semerwater
Semerwater (which is one of Yorkshire's largest natural lake) lies near the head of Raydale.
From here the River Bain (reputedly England's shortest river) flows on to Bainbridge to meet the River Ure at the end of the valley in Wensleydale.
Local legend has it that there is a city (not a village - or even a town - but a city!) submerged beneath the waters; this was apparently flooded when an angel disguised as a beggar was repeatedly refused hospitality by all of the residents except for one who had helped the beggar (and who conveniently lived on higher ground) who was spared.
"Semerwater rise, Semerwater sink - and bury the town all save the house where they gave me meat and drink." - so goes the verse of Sir William Watson's Balled of Semerwater. Whatever the origins of the story this is Yorkshire's very own "Atlantis" legend!
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