BLDSA Ullswater — Solo & Relay

On 6 December 2015, the village of Glenridding faced an unprecedented transformation when the banks of the local rivers failed under the pressure of Storm Desmond. The resulting deluge reshaped the shoreline and forced a community-wide re-evaluation of its relationship with the water, leading to the formation of a dedicated Flood Action Group to manage future surges. Today, the water that once breached the village walls provides a demanding 11-kilometre course for the BLDSA Ullswater event. Swimmers begin their journey in these same waters, navigating a landscape that bears both the geological markers of glacial erosion and the recent scars of climatic shifts.

The landscape from the water

The southern end of the lake is dominated by the imposing mass of Helvellyn, England’s third-highest peak, which remains a constant reference point for those navigating the long axis of the lake. As you progress, the view shifts towards the steep scree slopes of Birk Fell, a protected SSSI area where the rare juniper population clings to the rock face. Closer to the water level, the shoreline near Glencoyne Wood offers a different perspective; here, the dense thicket of mosses and liverworts provides a habitat for red squirrels, often visible to those following the closer shore lines. History is etched into the very architecture overlooking your path, with the Grade II listed Glenridding House standing as a Regency-era landmark since its completion in 1814. The lake’s industrial past also lingers, as the site of the former Greenside Mine—once a primary source of silver and lead—sits quietly above the village, serving as a reminder of the region's extraction history. Before its closure in 1962, this area was even repurposed by the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment to monitor seismic signals from underground explosions, a sharp contrast to the silence of the water today.

Race day logistics

This 11.2-kilometre challenge, taking place on 8 August 2026, requires significant stamina to navigate the 7-mile glacial basin. While those seeking a shorter distance might consider the Chillswim Ullswater 7.5 Miles End to End, the BLDSA solo and relay format offers a deep dive into the full scale of the lake. The water reaches depths of 63 metres, and while the surface may appear calm, the scale of the surrounding fells, including Place Fell and Sheffield Pike, dictates the wind patterns that swimmers must anticipate. The poet William Wordsworth famously spent his youth fishing here, documenting his time on the lake in his writings, though modern competitors will find the physical demands of the distance far outweigh the leisurely pace of such historical accounts.