Cold water swimming proves popular at Woburn Lido

Woburn Lido has added extra sessions for cold water swimming as demand for bookings continues to increase.

The Lido, on Crawley Road, usually operates from May to September but in December it started to take bookings for cold water sessions.

The sessions have proven so popular with swimmers that the charity-run pool had to put on extra sessions over the festive period and is now open seven days a week.

Bedfordshire is currently under tier four Covid-19 restrictions but the lido is allowed to remain open.

Trustee Murray Heining said: "The response has been staggering, we have had to add more sessions and more days.

"We are fully booked and have a waiting list, there are just not enough hours for everyone.

"We are taking bookings for the next few weeks, but we are being cautious, at the moment outdoor swimming is allowed, but we know that could instantly change.

"The response from customers has been great and many have said they have noticed the health benefits.

"One swimmer said they had been struggling to sleep, but after a session it was the best night's sleep they had had in a while.

"The customers have been great, they are respectful to our volunteers and each other and helpful.

"The system we have in place seems to be working well, hopefully we can extend the trial.

"We are now open seven days a week and every session for next weekend - 20 sessions - sold out yesterday, just a day after being released."

For more information visit: www.woburnvillage.co.uk/pool.