Festive swimmers across Britain are braving the beach for a brisk Christmas Eve dip as a cold health alert has been issued, with temperatures set to plunge as low as minus 5C. Their frolicking about the UK coast comes as forecasters warn that easterly winds, mainly affecting the UK's south, could mean that Christmas Day and Boxing Day swimmers will face big waves. Hundreds of swimmers dashed and danced into the sea for a charity dip at Helen's Bay in County Down, Northern Ireland, today, on Christmas Eve. Their event this year is in aid of two charities - Dementia Northern Ireland and the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland. Met Office spokesman Oli Claydon said Christmas Day would see 'pretty decent' conditions with mainly dry weather.

Source: Daily Mail December 24, 2025 18:44 UTC