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Great North Swim Special - Ambleside Start

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

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2025 Event - Available in April

We're just updating the online shop for this ticket. Tickets will be available to purchase from mid April 2025.
Archive information about the 2024 event can be ssen below.

This special boat service runs on Saturday 8 - Sunday 9 June 2024 between Ambleside (Waterhead) and Brockhole - the start/finish line of The Great North Swim.

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

🏊 Looking for an Bowness shuttle service?

A small map of the route between Ambleside Waterhead & Brockhole

Boat departures

🕑 Saturday 8 June

  • We depart Ambleside (Waterhead) at 7:45, 8:45, 9:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45, 14:45, 15:45. The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 8:15, 9:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15. The journey takes 20 minutes.

🕑 Sunday 9 June

  • We depart Ambleside (Waterhead) at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00. The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30. The journey takes 20 minutes.

Swimmers prepare for departure at 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 Ambleside or Brockhole.
  • 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

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.

Service Status

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Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

✔️ Services OK

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

✔️ Services OK

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → Bowness

✔️ Services OK
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE
Bowness Beach only

✔️ Services OK

🕑: We are now running to our off-peak season timetable (autumn/winter/spring).

Please note we are currently unable to depart from Brockhole or Windermere Jetty due to storm damage to the piers.