Windermere, Lake District
07 June 2024

Arla Great North Swim

 

Timetable

2023 event day timetable*:

Time Distance Wave Colour
FRIDAY 9     
Friday 11:00  Information point opens  
Friday 13:00 10k swim Red
Friday 13:45 5k swim Green
Friday 15:00 5k swim Pink
Friday 16:00 2 mile swim Yellow
Friday 16:45 1 mile swim Orange

*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.

 

2023 event day timetable*:

Time Distance Wave Colour
SATURDAY 10    
Saturday 7:30 Information point opens  
Saturday 09:30 Half mile swim Red
Saturday 10:00 Half mile swim Green
Saturday 10:30 1 mile swim  Pink
Saturday 11:00 1 mile swim  Yellow
Saturday 11:30 1 mile swim Orange
Saturday 12:00 1 mile swim  White
Saturday 13:00 1 mile swim  Green
Saturday 13:30 1 mile swim  Pink
Saturday 14:00 1 mile swim Yellow
Saturday 14:30 1 mile swim Orange
Saturday 15:00 Swim 250 White
Saturday 15:30 Swim 250 Red

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

 

2023 event day timetable*:

Original time Distance Wave Colour
SUNDAY 11     
Sunday 7:30 Information point opens  
Sunday 08:00 10k swim Red
Sunday 08:00 5k swim Green
Sunday 08:45 2 mile swim Pink
Sunday 09:30 2 mile swim Yellow
Sunday 10:00 1 mile swim Orange
Sunday 10:30 1 mile swim White
Sunday 11:00 Half mile swim Red
Sunday 11:30 Swim250 Green
Sunday 12:00 Rookie Splash swim session  
Sunday 12:00 Open Water Masterclass swim session  
Sunday 12:30 Rookie Splash swim session  

*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 are available to purchase closer to the event - these sell out quickly. 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.

Service update: The 508 service via Kirkstone Pass is suspended due to a road closure of Kirkstone Pass. The 505 555 and 599 services are running. Please check the service timetables for information and live updates.

View Bus Service Map here>

Bus 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 9 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

 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.