Travel & Parking

Planning your journey to the Coventry Building Society Great North Swim? Here’s everything you need to know to get to Windermere as smoothly as possible.

We strongly recommend planning ahead and allowing extra time, particularly at peak arrival and departure times.

Park & Ride (Recommended)

The easiest and most convenient way to get to the event is by using our Park & Ride service. This helps reduce congestion around Windermere and ensures a smoother experience for everyone.

• Location: Rydal Farm, Ambleside, LA22 9PN
• Price: £17.50 per vehicle (free coach transfer to site for all passengers)
• Pre-booking required (spaces are limited)
• Coaches run approximately every 20 minutes
• Direct drop-off at Brockhole on Windermere
• Dogs are welcome on the coaches.

Your ticket will be issued via email to show on arrival. While you’ll be asked to select a time when booking, your ticket is valid on any coach. This just helps us manage capacity across the day.

On-Site Parking (Brockhole)

Limited parking is available at Brockhole on Windermere, close to the event site. 

• Price: £35 per vehicle 
• Pre-booking required 
• Very limited availability 

Due to the nature of the location and local traffic, this option is expected to be busy. We recommend using Park & Ride where possible.

Public Transport

Windermere is accessible by public transport. The nearest train station is Windermere, with connections via Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line.

From Windermere station, you can take a local bus or taxi to Brockhole.

By Bus

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

The service operates every 20 minutes*. The first bus from Windermere starts at 06:04 am and 06:45 am each day (*please check timetable here for any service updates). 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.

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 available to book via the Windermere Lake Cruises website here.

Walking & Cycling

If you’re staying locally, walking or cycling to the event is a great option. Bike parking will be available on site.

Travelling Together

Where possible, we encourage swimmers and spectators to travel together. Car sharing with friends or family is a great way to:

• Reduce traffic and congestion around Windermere
• Make your journey more cost-effective
• Lower the environmental impact of the event

If you’re coming with others, we recommend travelling in the same vehicle and making the most of your journey to the Lakes.

If you’re travelling solo, consider connecting with others in your wave or local area to share lifts where possible.

Key Information

All parking and Park & Ride options must be booked in advance.

Please allow extra time for travel, particularly during busy periods.

Full event travel details and updates will be shared ahead of the event via emails.