The annual Boxing Day dip has become as much a tradition as tucking into turkey or pulling open a cracker – and with almost balmy temperatures in the UK, the swimmers were out in their hundreds today.
Donning Santa hats and bathing suits, brave swimmers smiled and cheered as they took a plunge around the British coastline.
Enjoying the festive time of year, others came dressed in reindeer antlers, as the beloved Dr Seuss character The Grinch – or even more exotically, a camel.
Boxing Day this year has proven to be warmer than in recent years, with a high of 12C in the south-west of England, and 11C in Wales, the Met Office said.
Cloudy conditions were predicted in southern parts, but it will be brighter across northern areas where temperatures will be cooler.
Though rain will affect central and southern Scotland and parts of Northern Ireland.
Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge said the conditions were optimal for Boxing Day swimmers.
‘It’s at least quite mild, and when you get out of the sea, it won’t be as cold as it has been on many Boxing Day swims in the past.’
Sign of the Tyne: Swimmers take part in a Boxing Day dip in Tynemouth beach
A participant dressed as The Grinch take a dip in Llandudno, north Wales on Boxing Day
Splashing out: A revellers takes advantage of the milder coastal temperatures in Ayr, Scotland
The Met Office said Boxing Day would see milder temperatures than in recent years
Although it is ‘very mild for the time of year’, 2024’s Boxing Day temperatures are not expected to exceed those of 2011, which became the warmest December 26 on record when 16.1C was measured in Banff, Scotland.
On Christmas Day, bathers across the country took advantage of the milder temperatures to take the plunge.
The mildest start to a Christmas Day on record was recorded for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
In Kinloss, Moray, temperatures reached 11.9C, while at Killowen, Co Down, it peaked at 11C for the 24-hour period ending at 9am, the Met Office said.
A mild, mostly cloudy day is also expected on Friday (tomorrow) before the weather turns brighter, but colder with blustery showers into the weekend.
Conditions tomorrow are expected to be ‘very similar’ to Boxing Day, with temperatures of around 10C to 13C accompanied by cloud and patchy drizzle across Wales and south-west England, he continued.
Over the weekend, conditions in Scotland will be ‘a little bit windier and a little bit wetter’, with cloud and showers predicted elsewhere.
Cooling off: A swimmer at Llandudno, north Wales braves a dip in the sea on Boxing Day
Cam-el ye faithful: Fancy dress is all part of the fun for the festive dip at Llandudno
One dip or two: Participants don Where’s Wally outfits for their swim in Llandudno
The festive Boxing Day Dip was organised by The Lions Club of Llandudno
Beach run: The balmier temperatures meant the annual dip was not quite as cold this year
The sun was shining for swimmers in Santa hats in Llandudno
Boxing Day for swimmers proved to be warmer this year than in previous years
The roar of the sea: A participant dresses up as a dinosaur for their annual festive dip
Santa runners brave the waters amid seasonably warmer temperatures in north Wales
Way to end the year: A trio of swimmers are still smiling as they wade in Llandudno’s waters
Scotland the brave: Revellers in Ayr whoop in delight as they take part in the annual tradition
A woman dressed as Santa at a swim organised for Ayrshire Cancer Support
The weather in Ayr was a little cloudier than other parts of the country, but still relatively mild
Winter warm up: A trip of swimmers wave for the camera in Ayr, Scotland
Glove is in the Ayr: Festive hats and waterproof gloves prove must-haves for the festive dip
Good for your Elf: A festively-dressed man takes to the sea at Ayr, Scotland, on Thursday
Swimmers enjoy their festive dip on Tynemouth beach in the north-east of England
Swimmers came out in their hundreds to enjoy the traditional swim in Tynemouth
Feeling festive: A trip of swimmers cheer as they make their way back to the beach
Deer, oh deer: Swimmers donning antlers hurry down to the beach at Cromer, Norfolk
Thursday saw optimal conditions for swimmers. Pictured: Cromer, Norfolk
Racing against the tide: One swimmer sprints to the finish at Cromer, Norfolk
