Hundreds of bold Britons welcomed 2026 with a breathtaking plunge, taking part in the century-old tradition of the New Year's Day swim in freezing coastal waters around the country.
A Chilly Centenary Tradition
This annual ritual, believed to be around 100 years old, saw participants spill into the sea at numerous locations. While the air and water temperatures hovered in the low single figures, spirits remained high. For many, the icy dip serves as a metaphor for rebirth and a fresh start for the new year. Others viewed it as an invigorating challenge to share with friends, and a significant number used the occasion to raise vital funds for charitable causes.
Nationwide Participation and Colourful Displays
The hardy swimmers were captured on camera at beaches from Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire to Southend in Essex. In Abersoch, North Wales, the waters were chilled by the Irish Sea, while some of the bravest participants took to the coast of Scotland. There, kilt-wearing locals plunged into the frigid waters off Queensferry, near Edinburgh.
The event was marked by a festive atmosphere, with many swimmers donning fancy dress for their brief, bracing encounter with the waves. In Southend-on-Sea, participants raised money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Large crowds gathered both in and out of the water at events like the one in Gosport, Hampshire, where pictures showed people grappling with the desperate cold upon entry.
Weather Forces Last-Minute Cancellations
While hundreds enjoyed their dip without issue, not all planned events could go ahead. Dangerous sea conditions led to disappointing cancellations in some areas. In Hornsea, East Yorkshire, high waves forced expectant swimmers to stay ashore. They were treated to an alternative seaside shower from the hoses of local firefighters.
A similar fate befell swimmers in Sheringham, Norfolk. The organisers, the Sheringham & Cromer Round Table Charitable Trust, expressed they were "absolutely devastated" to cancel. A spokesperson cited a forecast of high winds reaching up to 43mph (69km/h) and waves exceeding 8ft (2.4m) as creating unsafe conditions.
Despite these setbacks, the tradition proved its enduring appeal. From charity fundraising to personal challenge, the collective plunge into the new year provided a shared, shivering moment of celebration and resilience for communities across the United Kingdom.
