Book a Swim

Polar Cold Water Swimming Gala

Screenshot-2026-11-04-at-09.57.31

Experience the thrill of the Polar Cold Water Swimming Gala celebration of cold-water swimming, community and friendly competition. Join fellow swimmers for an invigorating challenge, or cheer from the side lines and soak up the atmosphere. There are races to suit all experience levels with a variety of distances, Swimming strokes. Skins, and wetsuit competitions.

The Cold Water Gala is all about a fun morning together, enjoying the water and the company. This event is open to participants aged 16 and over. 16 & 17 year olds please obtain Parental consent

There will be 50m, 100m, 200m & 400m competitions. Plus a 4 x 50m Team Relay to Finish

Each swimmer is responsible for understanding their own level of cold-water conditioning and staying within their limits. Please put your wellbeing first and do not enter or remain in the water if doing so could put your health at risk.

Water Temperature will be around the ambient temperature at that time. For example if the ambient temperature is on average 8 degrees a week before the Gala. The water temperature will be around 8 degrees.

Category Parameters

Head out of the Water :- Wetsuit Gloves & Boots Allowed with Swimming Hat or Bobble Hat

Skins:-  200m and above Wetsuit Gloves and Boots are allowed with Swimming Hat or Bobble Hat. Below 200m,   Swimming hats  only accompanied with a Swimming Costume

Wetsuit:- Full Wetsuit with with Swimming Hat or Bobble Hat

If you wish to you may enter as a Team or as an Individual.

Prize Giving:- Including Best team, Best Supporter/s

Registration is from 9:00am

Safety Briefing will be at 9:30am

Gala Starts at 9:40am

Prize Giving at 1:30pm

Gala Finishes at 2.00pm

Click Here to book your Individual Participation

Click here to book your 4 x 50m Team Relay 

The morning will start with the Shorter Distances and End with the Relays. Please be ware exact race times will be finalised after entries have Closed on the 16th of February @ 23:59:59

Start times are subject to change, depending on entry numbers. Start times will be confirmed at least one week prior to the event!

Sunday, 21 February
Cheltenham Lido, Cheltenham
From £15

Check out last year’s opening day!

mike-cover
Cheltenham Lido Swimming Pool
Save

Purchase your 2026 Season Ticket
now!

Buy Season Ticket 2026

View our Instagram

👻 Some things haunt us long after Halloween...

From running on poolside to ignoring the lifeguard’s whistle, our team have seen a few things that give them a fright 👀

All jokes aside, we love our Lido community - but some habits are best left in the past! 😉

#halloween #haunt #cheltenhamlido #ghost #happyhalloween

80 7
Open
👻 Some things haunt us long after Halloween... From running on poolside to ignoring the lifeguard’s whistle, our team have seen a few things that give them a fright 👀 All jokes aside, we love our Lido community - but some habits are best left in the past! 😉 #halloween #haunt #cheltenhamlido #ghost #happyhalloween

Did you know we do more than just swimming? 👀🧘🏽‍♀️

That’s right…Yoga is back at Cheltenham Lido! ✨

Whether you’re looking to improve your flexibility, unwind after a busy week or simply make a little more time for yourself, our Saturday morning yoga classes are a lovely way to start your weekend.

And you don’t need to be a swimmer to join us!

🧘🏽‍♀️ Every Saturday, from 7th of November
⏰ 9:30–10:30am
💙 £5 for Season Ticket Holders
🎟️ £7 Standard Admission

Bookings are now OPEN for Saturday 7 & 14 November!

Whether you’re a regular yogi or fancy trying something new, we’d love to welcome you along.

So, why not swap your usual Saturday morning routine for an hour of movement, relaxation and a little time for yourself?

📲 Book your space now via our website!
Tag someone who needs a Saturday morning reset 👇🏻

#yoga #cheltenham #fitnessclasses #joinus #wellness

24 1
Open
Did you know we do more than just swimming? 👀🧘🏽‍♀️ That’s right…Yoga is back at Cheltenham Lido! ✨ Whether you’re looking to improve your flexibility, unwind after a busy week or simply make a little more time for yourself, our Saturday morning yoga classes are a lovely way to start your weekend. And you don’t need to be a swimmer to join us! 🧘🏽‍♀️ Every Saturday, from 7th of November ⏰ 9:30–10:30am 💙 £5 for Season Ticket Holders 🎟️ £7 Standard Admission Bookings are now OPEN for Saturday 7 & 14 November! Whether you’re a regular yogi or fancy trying something new, we’d love to welcome you along. So, why not swap your usual Saturday morning routine for an hour of movement, relaxation and a little time for yourself? 📲 Book your space now via our website! Tag someone who needs a Saturday morning reset 👇🏻 #yoga #cheltenham #fitnessclasses #joinus #wellness

Cold water curious? Or always fancied giving wild swimming a go? 👀❄️

Perhaps you’ve watched our winter swimmers from the sidelines, heard about the benefits or simply wondered what all the fuss is about…

Well, this could be your sign to give it a go!

As we prepare for another cold water season at Cheltenham Lido, we’re delighted to be offering Cold Water Swimming Inductions with @glowswimcoach , designed to help you take those first steps with confidence.

And there’s no better time to start! As we switch off the heating, our pool temperature will gradually decrease alongside the autumn weather, offering a great opportunity to begin acclimatising as the season progresses.

💙 What can you expect?

Led by Laura, a Lido regular, qualified Open Water Coach and experienced cold water swimmer, these sessions will introduce you to safe cold water swimming, including what to expect, how to enter the water gradually and how to approach your winter swims safely and confidently.

🌊 Interested in wild swimming too?

These inductions are also a great starting point for anyone curious about wild or open-water swimming. Understanding how your body responds to colder water, learning safe entry techniques and building confidence are valuable foundations for future outdoor swimming adventures.

Whether you’re completely new, interested in exploring the benefits or simply want to learn more before taking the plunge, Laura will be there to guide and support you.

📅 Upcoming induction dates:

❄️ 25 October
❄️ 1 November
❄️ 7 November
❄️ 22 November
❄️ 13 December
❄️ 9 January

⏰ All sessions: 9:30–11:00am
🎟️ £20 per person
📍 Cheltenham Lido

Cold water swimming isn’t about how long you can stay in or how cold you can go. It’s about understanding your body, respecting the water and enjoying the experience safely.

Ready to take the plunge? 💦

Book your induction via our website and discover what cold water swimming is all about this winter!

#coldwaterswimming #inductions #cheltenham #wildswimming #coldwater

51 4
Open
Cold water curious? Or always fancied giving wild swimming a go? 👀❄️ Perhaps you’ve watched our winter swimmers from the sidelines, heard about the benefits or simply wondered what all the fuss is about… Well, this could be your sign to give it a go! As we prepare for another cold water season at Cheltenham Lido, we’re delighted to be offering Cold Water Swimming Inductions with @glowswimcoach , designed to help you take those first steps with confidence. And there’s no better time to start! As we switch off the heating, our pool temperature will gradually decrease alongside the autumn weather, offering a great opportunity to begin acclimatising as the season progresses. 💙 What can you expect? Led by Laura, a Lido regular, qualified Open Water Coach and experienced cold water swimmer, these sessions will introduce you to safe cold water swimming, including what to expect, how to enter the water gradually and how to approach your winter swims safely and confidently. 🌊 Interested in wild swimming too? These inductions are also a great starting point for anyone curious about wild or open-water swimming. Understanding how your body responds to colder water, learning safe entry techniques and building confidence are valuable foundations for future outdoor swimming adventures. Whether you’re completely new, interested in exploring the benefits or simply want to learn more before taking the plunge, Laura will be there to guide and support you. 📅 Upcoming induction dates: ❄️ 25 October ❄️ 1 November ❄️ 7 November ❄️ 22 November ❄️ 13 December ❄️ 9 January ⏰ All sessions: 9:30–11:00am 🎟️ £20 per person 📍 Cheltenham Lido Cold water swimming isn’t about how long you can stay in or how cold you can go. It’s about understanding your body, respecting the water and enjoying the experience safely. Ready to take the plunge? 💦 Book your induction via our website and discover what cold water swimming is all about this winter! #coldwaterswimming #inductions #cheltenham #wildswimming #coldwater