ORGANISERS of a popular south Lakes swimming event have announced plans to move to a new home in 2018.

After 10 successful years at Low Wood Bay, on Windermere, The Great North Swim is set to relocate just under a mile south to Brockhole for next summer's edition.

The event, which attracts almost 10,000 swimmers each year, will take place from Friday June 8 to Sunday June 10.

The new location, set next to 30 acres of magnificent terrace gardens, will allow participants and spectators to have an improved Great Swim experience.

Alex Jackson, director of the Great Swim series, said: “After 10 amazing years at Low Wood Bay, we’re really excited to take the Great North Swim to the next level at Brockhole on Windermere.

“Since 2008 the swim has more than doubled in size, which demonstrates the popularity of the sport.

"The appetite for new events and distances at the Great North Swim has increased year on year and we have now outgrown the facilities at the Low Wood Bay Hotel.

“We’d like to thank the team at the Low Wood for their fantastic support over the last decade.

“Our new location at Brockhole will allow us to continue to improve the Great Swim experience for all who come to Windermere to take part and spectate.”

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Brockhole is situated between Ambleside and Windermere and is a not-for-profit attraction run by the Lake District National Park Authority.

Sam Mason, site general manager, said: “We are delighted that the prestigious Great North Swim has chosen Brockhole as its new home on Windermere.

“We believe that working together we can help to grow this fantastic event even further, creating a real outdoor festival environment, with participants and visitors being able to stay at the event site for much longer, enjoying all that Brockhole and our stunning setting has to offer, and relishing the atmosphere of one of the premiere outdoor events in the calendar.

“With lots more great food, drinks, activities and entertainment for all ages we hope to help the Great North Swim become an even more fantastic whole weekend experience for participants and spectators alike.”

The Great North Swim will offer seven distances for a range of ages and abilities across three days. The SwimRun – an endurance event that combines running and swimming – will also return to the Great North Swim this year.