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Great North Swim Special

An easy way to get to the start/finish line of the Great North Swim

Warning Image

2026 Event - Available in early May 2026

We're hoping to be back with our Great North Swim shuttles for 2026.

Archive information about the 2025 event can be seen below.


This special boat service runs on Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June 2025 between Bowness and Brockhole - the start/finish line of The Great North Swim and finish line of Windermere Marathon.

With a direct service between Bowness ↔ Brockhole, swimmers, runners and spectators can enjoy a hassle-free park & ride service between the many car parks around Bowness (PDF Download Map). Beat the crowds and limited parking at Brockhole by using this special boat service.

🏊 Looking for an Ambleside (Waterhead) shuttle service?

A small map of the route between Bowness & Brockhole

Boat departures

🕑 Friday 13 June

  • We depart Bowness at 9:50♿, 10:15, 10:40, 11:15, 11:30♿, 12:15, 13:00♿, 13:15, 14:00, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 16:45, 17:45, 18:45. The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45, 14:45, 15:45, 16:45, 17:15, 18:15, 19:15. The journey takes 20 minutes.

🕑 Saturday 14 June

  • We depart Bowness at 7:45♿, 8:45♿, 9:50♿, 10:15, 10:40, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45. The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 8:15♿, 9:15♿, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15. The journey takes 20 minutes.

🕑 Sunday 15 June

  • We depart Bowness at 7:45♿, 8:45♿, 9:50♿, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45 The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 8:15♿, 9:15♿, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15. The journey takes 20 minutes.

BOOK NOW

Swimmers setting off from Brockhole

Ticketed Seating
To ensure that everyone can get to/from the start/finish these boats have ticketed seating.

  • Choose from either a single or return journey from either Bowness or Ambleside.
  • You must book a seat for the outward and return legs of your journey for everyone in your group.
  • Infants (under 3s) who don't need a seat (who can travel on a parents knee) can travel for free.


A modern launch heading townards Brockhole

Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 5th April 2025 until Sunday 2nd November 2025)

AdultsChildren
£12.00£6.00

Additional Information

Beat the crowds with a special park & ride boat service to the Great North Swim.

Beat the crowds with a special park & ride boat service to the Great North Swim.

More information

Service Status

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Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum →Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Bowness

✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from Bowness
Bowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE from LakesideLakeside ↻✔️ Services OK
🟤 YELLOW CRUISE & STEAM TRAINHaverthwaite ↔ Lakeside ↔ Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟢 GREEN CRUISEAmbleside → Wray Castle → Brockhole → Ambleside

✔️ Services OK

🚶 WALKERS TICKETBowness → Brockhole → Wray Castle → Walk → Car Ferry→ Bowness✔️ Services OK
🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from BownessBowness Beach / Bowness Dock ↻

✔️ Services OK

🚣 ROW BOAT HIRE from WaterheadWaterhead (near Ambleside) ↻

✔️ Services OK

CROSS LAKES SHUTTLE

Bowness ↔ Ash Landing✔️ Services OK
FELL FOOT FERRYLakeside ↔ Fell Foot

✔️ Services OK

🕑: We are now running to our peak season timetable.

Map

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