Woburn Lido ready to open for cold water swimming this winter

An outdoor swimming pool in Woburn is getting ready to open for cold water swimming for the first time ever this weekend - for those brave enough!

The lido, on Crawley Road, is open from May to September, and normally closed during the winter, but from this Saturday (December 5) it will open for cold water swimming.

All sessions need to be pre-booked, which can be done online. There are sessions available on Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 1pm, and Wednesday between 8am and 10am and 12pm and 2.30pm.

Trustee Murray Heining said: "We're looking forward to opening for cold water swimming.

"We had hoped to start this at the beginning of November when the weather was slightly warmer, but the lockdown stopped that.

"But we are ready to open this Saturday.

"Tri-athletes and open water swimmers can book in groups for sessions outside of the operating hours but they will need to contact me to book.

"We have two groups who have already expressed interest in those sessions.

"We are trying it to see if it will work, it is a trial until the end of the month to see if it is viable, if it is we will continue.

"The idea is that we will open all year round.

"This type of swimming will not suit everyone and we are warning people who have never done this before to really think before trying it.

"There are no changing rooms, just a disabled toilet. People should arrive beach ready and have clothes that are easy to slip on to go home in.

"We will have a limited variety of hot and cold snacks and drinks."