Great North Swim Special - Ambleside Shuttle
Your ride to and from the Great North Swim and Windermere Marathon.
 | 2026 Event - Available in early May 2026 We're hoping to provide a quick park and glide option once again to competitors and spectators of the 2026 Great North Swim. Archive information about the 2025 event can be seen below. |
This special boat service runs on Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 June 2025 between Ambleside (Waterhead) and Brockhole - the start/finish line of The Great North Swim and on Sunday the finish line of the Windermere Marathon.
With a direct service between Ambleside (Waterhead) ↔ Brockhole, swimmers, runners 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.
This year, we have many more boats departing Brockhole for Ambleside (Waterhead) to pick up the Windermere Marathon runners and their supporters. One-way Brockhole → Ambleside tickets can also be purchased online.
Boat departures
🕑 Saturday 14 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, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, ♿17:30 The journey takes 20 minutes.
🕑 Sunday 15 June
- We depart Ambleside (Waterhead) at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, ♿10:35, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00. The journey takes 20 minutes.
- We depart Brockhole at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, ♿13:25, ♿13:50, 14:30, ♿15:15, 15:30, ♿15:55, 16:30, ♿17:30. The journey takes 20 minutes.
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, if needed) 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.
Standard Ticket Prices (valid from Saturday 5th April 2025 until Sunday 2nd November 2025)
| Adults | Children |
|---|---|
| £12.00 | £6.00 |
Additional Information
- 🚳 Sorry, no bikes allowed on these special cruises
- 🚫 Sorry, no Local Resident Card / discount cards can be used on these special cruises
- ♿ Sorry, our modern launches on this service are not wheelchair accessible. Please try a Red Cruise or Yellow Cruise steamer departure instead.
- 🐕 Well-behaved dogs travel free (please keep them close to you at all times)
