Skip to Main Content
Current Service Status: amber
Book Now

Great North Swim Special

An easy way to get to the start/finish line of the Great North Swim

Warning Image

2025 Event - Available in April

We're just updating the online shop for this ticket. Tickets will be available to purchase from mid April 2025.
Archive information about the 2024 event can be ssen below.


This special boat service runs on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 June 2024 between Bowness and Brockhole - the start/finish line of The Great North Swim.

With a direct service between Bowness ↔ Brockhole, swimmers and spectators can enjoy a hassle-free park & ride service between the many car parks around Bowness (PDF Download Map). Beat the crowds and limited parking at Brockhole by using this special boat service.

🏊 Looking for an Ambleside (Waterhead) shuttle service?

A small map of the route between Bowness & Brockhole

Boat departures

🕑 Friday 7 June

  • We depart Bowness at 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:15, 17:45, 18:15, 18:45 (extra boats will be added if needed). The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45, 14:45, 15:45, 16:45, 17:15, 17:45. 18:15, 18:45, 19:15 (extra boats will be added if needed). The journey takes 20 minutes.

🕑 Saturday 8 June

  • We depart Bowness at 7:45♿, 8:45♿, 9:50♿, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45 (extra boats will be added if needed). The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 8:15♿, 9:15♿, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15, 15:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15 (extra boats will be added if needed). The journey takes 20 minutes.

🕑 Sunday 9 June

  • We depart Bowness at 7:45♿, 8:45♿, 9:50♿, 10:15, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45 (extra boats will be added if needed). The journey takes 20 minutes.
  • We depart Brockhole at 8:15♿, 9:15♿, 10:45, 11:15, 11:45, 12:15, 12:45, 13:15, 13:45, 14:15, 14:45, 15:15 (extra boats will be added if needed). The journey takes 20 minutes.

BOOK NOW

Swimmers setting off from Brockhole

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 Bowness or Ambleside.
  • You must book a seat for the outward and return legs 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.


A modern launch heading townards Brockhole

Additional Information

Beat the crowds with a special park & ride boat service to the Great North Swim.

Beat the crowds with a special park & ride boat service to the Great North Swim.

More information

Service Status

amber

Warning Image

🍃 WINDY WEATHER - Sunday 22 December (page updated -21/12/25 4.45pm)

Strong winds are forecast for this weekend. As a precaution, we have suspended all cruise and self-drive bookings.
We will check conditions on Sunday morning and this page will be updated.

Please keep checking back as weather conditions can change.

Today's Service Status

🔴 RED CRUISE Bowness → Brockhole → Ambleside Waterhead → Bowness

⚠️ Awaiting weather report

🟡 YELLOW CRUISEBowness ↔ Lakeside

⚠️ Awaiting weather report

🔵 ISLANDS CRUISE

Bowness → W'Mere Jetty Museum → Bowness

⚠️ Awaiting weather report
🚤 MOTOR BOAT HIRE
Bowness Beach only

⚠️ Awaiting weather report

🕑: We are now running to our off-peak season timetable (autumn/winter/spring).

Map

Load Map