Tonbridge's Outdoor Pool Is Staying Open All Winter Again - and Swimmers Couldn't Be Happier

If you've walked past The Slade on a frosty morning and spotted steam rising off the outdoor pool with people actually swimming in it, that's not going away this year - Tonbridge Swimming Pool has confirmed its outdoor pool will stay open right through autumn and winter for a second year running.

The extended season runs from October to March, with the water kept at a brisk-but-bearable 20-21°C - warmer than the open sea in January, but still cold enough to count as proper cold-water swimming. It also gives Tonbridge Swimming Club somewhere to keep training outdoors once the summer crowds thin out, as they did last year with a weekly hired session.

The numbers from last year's trial are what's convinced tmactive, which runs the pool for Tonbridge and Malling Leisure Trust, to do it again: more than 7,000 additional swims were logged in the outdoor pool between October and March. That's not a handful of hardy regulars - it's a genuine winter habit for a lot of people.

For one of those regulars, a swimmer called Annie, it's been more than just exercise. "I want to say a massive thank you for keeping the outdoor pool open - you've totally changed my life," she said. "I really struggle with my mental health at this time of year, and I'm definitely affected by SAD. I started open water swimming in the summer and fell in love with it. So, when I heard about you keeping the outdoor pool open I was so excited. I've been coming at least three times a week and it's making such a difference. I wake up in the morning looking forward to 'my time' - getting out in the cold, enjoying the swim and then warming up and treating myself to the lovely spa facilities and sauna."

Emma Wood, Chief Executive of tmactive, said the response was clear enough to make the decision easy: "The response to the outdoor pool remaining open beyond the summer months has shown us how much our customers value having this option. We're pleased to be continuing it for a second year, giving people the opportunity to enjoy the pool throughout the autumn and winter, whether they're training, staying active or simply enjoying being outdoors."

The outdoor pool's autumn/winter hours, from October to March and subject to demand, are weekdays 6.30am-10am, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 4pm-7pm, and weekends 7am-11am. Source: tmactive