Semer Water

Last edited on: 2 Feb 2024

Important information

This site remains sensitive at present due to incidents in the summer 2023.

Bottom Landings - Avoid any bottom landings that are not in our designated landing fields (see map).

Under no circumstances land anywhere near Marsett - especially in their cropped fields.

Lambing time is between Feb to June - do not take off or land near young lambs.

Parking - Try to avoid parking congestion in the area as this upsets the local farmers.

Keep a good look out for horse riders in the area & try not to overfly them.

Permission has been given to park up to 6 members cars in the Hawes End landing field on busy flying days.

This is shown by "P" on the site map.

Please:

Park on the left hand side at the top of the field.

Do not obstruct any access to the field that may be required by the farmer.

Club members cars only.

Avoid parking in the field if it is muddy.

Also - As road parking is very sensitive at present - please don't block gates or laybys/passing areas.

Jump to the site map ↓

Status

Sensitive

This site can be flown but there are some important rules in place. Please read the information on this page very carefully.

Sites officer

North (Turn on JavaScript!)

Location

Lat, long: 54.289, -2.1388

OS grid reference: SD 909 880

Wind direction

ESE (95-135) NNW (335-360)

Height

1610’ (490m) AMSL. 260’ (80m) to Hawes End. 310’ (95m) to base of hill. 625’ (190m) to bottom landing area. 395’ (120m) to NNW landing.

Grade of pilot

PG – All grades.

HG - Reasonably experienced.

Parking

Park by the side of the road at Hawes End. Do not block the gates or the road.  Parking on the road is very sensitive at present - please don't block gates or laybys/passing areas.

Permission has been given to park up to 6 members cars in the Hawes End landing field on busy flying days.

This is shown by "P" on the site map.

Please:

Park on the left hand side at the top of the field.

Do not obstruct any access to the field that may be required by the farmer.

Club members cars only.

Avoid parking in the field if it is muddy.

Reference

Over the newly repaired wall section 10m west of the road bend.

Capacity

About 12 Gliders in good conditions.

Hazards

The small quarry between shoulder and top ridge (SE) can be rough. Very severe rotors at the access end of the top ridge. Beware of letting yourself get too far back, as there is a danger of stalling violently here.

The trees below the edge produce rotor and dead air, so do not fly behind them at below ridge level.

Rules

This site can be especially sensitive at lambing time. Please check the website traffic lights prior to flying between Feb – Jun: the site may be closed.

Only land in the bottom landing field when it is clear of cattle. Also do not use it when in hay (Long Grass).

Landings at the lakeside are prohibited. Only land in the NNW landing field when it is clear of stock. You may land and pack up in the field at Hawes End.

Comments

A near top access site so popular with HG. On a good day it is likely that you will be able to launch from the shoulder and fly to the top. In lighter conditions it is worth walking to the top.

Site Challenges

If you'd like a task to follow, consider Semer Water's Defined Flying Challenge: Semer Water SB triangle.  If you don't know about the DFCs, you can read about them, and download a copy from Ed Cleasby's website.

Land owner

Contact via Sites Officer.

Nearest landline/mobile phone coverage

At Countersett.

Fairly good mobile phone reception on some networks.