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Windermere, Lake District
07 June 2024

Arla Great North Swim

 

Timetable

2024 event day timetable*:

Time Distance
FRIDAY 7   
Friday 14:00 10k swim
Friday 14:45 5k swim
Friday 16:30 2 mile swim
Friday 17:30 1 mile swim

*Please Note. All times are subject to change in the lead up to the event.

10k Swimmers
Feed stations will be in place. Any swimmers wishing to use the feed station to hydrate will need to bring their own collapsible cup, as there are no plastic bottles at the event.

 

2024 event day timetable*:

Time Distance
SATURDAY 8  
Saturday 9:30 Half mile swim NEW TIMESLOT 
Saturday 10:00 Half mile swim CLOSE TO FULL
Saturday 10:30 1 mile swim SOLD OUT
Saturday 11:00 1 mile swim SOLD OUT
Saturday 11:30 1 mile swim SOLD OUT
Saturday 12:00 1 mile swim NEW TIMESLOT 
Saturday 12:30 1 mile swim NEW TIMESLOT
Saturday 13:00 1 mile swim CLOSE TO FULL
Saturday 13:30 1 mile swim
Saturday 14:00 1 mile swim
Saturday 14:30 1 mile swim NEW TIMESLOT
Saturday 15:00 Swim 250 SOLD OUT
Saturday 15:30 Swim 250 NEW TIMESLOT 

*Please Note. All times are subject to change in the lead up to the event

 

2024 event day timetable*:

Original time Distance
SUNDAY 9   
Sunday 7:30 Information point opens
Sunday 09:30 10k swim
Sunday 09:30 5k swim CLOSE TO FULL
Sunday 10:15 2 mile swim SOLD OUT
Sunday 11:00 2 mile swim SOLD OUT
Sunday 11:30 1 mile swim NEW TIMESLOT
Sunday 12:00 1 mile swim CLOSE TO FULL
Sunday 12:30 Half mile swim
Sunday 13:00 Swim250

*Please Note: All times are subject to change in the lead up to the event.

10k Swimmers
Feed stations will be in place. Any swimmers wishing to use the feed station to hydrate will need to bring their own collapsible cup, as there are no plastic bottles at the event.

 

Travel

We would encourage everyone travelling to and from the event to make use of the public transport options available across the event weekend. We partner with local bus and ferry providers, and you can find more information on the services available in each tab.

We advise that you plan your journey in advance, as many options are pre-bookable and will sell out.

One of the simplest options will be to walk to the event site, however parking options are limited close to the venue and others may involve walking a reasonable distance.

Limited on-site parking places at Brockhole (LA23 1LJ) are available to purchase for £30 per day. Saturday and Sunday spaces are sold out, with limited spaces left for Friday. As part of our commitment to sustainable travel the on-site parking will be available to those travelling in groups of 3 or more. This is to limit the impact of event travel on the environment and will be monitored throughout the weekend.

Friday 7 June 2024> Book Parking Here
Saturday 8 June 2024>SOLD OUT
Sunday 9 June 2024> SOLD OUT

Limited pay and display parking is also available at Waterhead Car Parks (35 mins walking time from the site), and Ambleside Car Parks (45 mins walking time and 15-20 mins cycle from the site). Local charges apply.

There is a drop-off and pick-up turning circle at the venue. To ensure there are no delays on the road network there will be strictly no waiting on site.
Parking on roadsides and verges is strictly forbidden, and the police would like to remind participants that any cars that are parked in these areas may incur penalty charge notices or be towed away. Please be considerate to other participants, residents and tourists and park responsibly. 
 

Park and Walk

A public Stagecoach bus service is available and stops at the entrance to the event venue. The 599 / 555 / 505 bus services operates from Bowness and Windermere in the South and from Ambleside in the North.

The service operates every 20 minutes. It is strongly recommended that you book your ticket in advance on the stagecoach app, to allow Stagecoach to forecast the demand and increase services where required.

A single journey to the event will cost £2, with the first bus from Windermere starting at 06:04 am and 06:45 am each day.

View Bus Service Map here>

Bus Travel

Ferry Travel
Windermere Lake Cruises

Windermere Lake Cruises have carried a huge number of our swimmers and their friends and families over recent years. Pre-bookable tickets for the direct shuttle service from Bowness or Ambleside to Brockhole are to book via the Windermere Lake Cruises website. Click here to book. (please note: A normal, scheduled service will run on Friday 7 June).

Please aim to arrive at the event site 60 minutes before your wave start time, and allow plenty of time after your swim to change and enjoy some food and drink on site, before you head home.

Ferry travel

 Cycle

This will undoubtedly be one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel, with the added benefit of avoiding queues and allowing you to travel exactly when you want to. If you live or are staying locally this would be a great option for you.  

Cycle hire is available in Bowness and Ambleside, as well as from National Trust campsites in the area. For anyone planning to cycle to the event, there will be limited bike parking stands on-site at Brockhole (please bring your own lock).

View map here>

Cycling

Wetsuit Policy

 

Wetsuit use is optional at all Great Swim events for water temperatures of 15C or above. Swimmers choosing not to wear a wetsuit MUST use an approved high visibility tow float, swimmers wearing wetsuits can also choose to swim with a tow float. This only applies to swimmers aged over 16 years old. Swimmers aged under 16 will be required to wear a wetsuit.

Water Safety

 

We just want to reassure you that you are in very safe hands while taking part in your swim. We have lots of fully trained water safety kayakers, lifeguards and boats monitoring you all the way around, so you're never far from some friendly support.

If you find yourself struggling, or in need of a little breather, just lay on your back or tread water and pop your hand up, and one of our safety team will make their way to you to check everything is ok. We have plenty of safety craft on the water and someone will reach you as quickly as possible.