11-15 JUNE - Travel disruption and busy areas

Important Travel Notice: Lake Windermere – Weekend of 12–14 June

Planning a cruise or hiring a self-drive boat on Lake Windermere this Friday, Saturday, or Sunday? Please take a moment to read this important travel update.

We’re looking forward to welcoming you for a fantastic day on the water. However, please be aware that the Lake Windermere area is expected to be extremely busy this weekend, particularly around Brockhole – The Lake District Visitor Centre, Bowness, and Ambleside.

This is due to two major events taking place:

• The Great North Swim (Friday 12 – Sunday 14 June)
• Windermere Marathon (Sunday 14 June)

Both events attract large numbers of participants and spectators, which is likely to cause increased traffic, congestion, and limited parking availability throughout the area.

Timetable Changes: Thursday 11 June – Monday 15 June

Due to the Great North Swim and the Windermere Marathon taking place over the weekend of 12–14 June, there will be temporary changes to our advertised timetables.

• Thursday 11 June
  No boats will call at Brockhole and the ticket office will be closed.
• Friday 12 – Sunday 14 June
  Services will operate to the usual Red Cruise and Green Cruise timetable, with additional shuttle boats running to support the events.
• Monday 15 June
  No boats will call at Brockhole and the ticket office will be closed.

Travel Advice
The areas around Ambleside, Brockhole, and Bowness are expected to be very busy from 12–15 June. Please allow extra time for travel and parking to avoid delays.

What You Need to Know

1. Expect delays – allow extra time
Roads in and around Windermere, Bowness, and Ambleside are likely to be very busy, with significant congestion at peak times. Please allow plenty of extra time for your journey to reach our piers and hire locations. We recommend adding at least 60–90 minutes to your usual travel time, particularly if arriving in the morning.

2. Parking will be limited
Parking across the area will be in extremely high demand throughout the weekend.

• Plan your parking in advance where possible
• Consider using car parks further away and completing your journey by public transport or on foot
• Brockhole will act as a central hub for the events, and its car park is expected to fill early
• Allow additional time to locate a space and walk to your departure point

3. Sunday road closures and restrictions
To ensure participant safety, temporary road closures and traffic management measures will be in place. Full details will be confirmed by event organisers and local authorities, but the following should be expected:

• Windermere Marathon (Sunday 14 June)
  The route runs anti-clockwise around Lake Windermere, starting at Waterhead, heading towards Newby Bridge, and returning along the east side of the lake through Bowness to finish at Brockhole.
• Significant disruption is expected on roads surrounding the lake, especially on Sunday
• Over half the route will use car-free or partially restricted roads
• Key areas affected include Waterhead, sections of the A592 (east side), Newby Bridge, and Bowness

Please plan ahead and allow extra time to avoid disruption.