It’s opened along with a sauna at a former wildlife park
You have to pay to swim there(Image: www.lcleatphotography.com)
A pond once home to seals at a wildlife park has become Bristol’s newest cold swimming spot. The natural pool is now open along with a new sauna at Westbury Wildlife Park, pitched as a “wellness experience” that people can pay for.
The park in Westbury-on-Trym closed in the early 90s due to new animal regulations, but reopened in 2021 as a community space. Decades ago it was home to birds of prey, seals, rare sheep breeds and deer.
There are no longer any animal exhibits, but there is a cafe, ponds, picnic areas and walking routes. The centre, which dates back to the 1960s, is now used to help preserve and protect flora and fauna under Westbury Wildlife Park Foundation.
Now, an ‘organic cold plunge pool and wood-fired sauna’ has been added to the facilities. It forms part of Fire & Ice Wellness, which will use the pool for cold water immersion therapy.
Fire & Ice Wellness was started by two Bristolians – Jamie Winn, who comes from the start-up drinks world, and Neema Abbassi, a property solicitor. Co-founder Jamie said: “I’ve lived in Westbury my whole life, so it’s amazing to have created this holistic experience in such a special and unique place that was once abandoned.
The sauna and cold plunge combination is supposed to be revitalising for mind and body(Image: LCLEATPHOTOGRAPHY)
“Our hope is that this beautiful natural space provides a relaxing, enjoyable, and sociable experience for people, reconnecting them with nature just a stone’s throw away from Bristol city centre.”
Fire & Ice Wellness was started by Jamie Winn and Neema Abbassi(Image: LCLEATPHOTOGRAPHY)
He said the effects of cold therapy combined with a sauna session are “truly euphoric”. Fans of cold plunge pools claim the chill helps to boost circulation, reduce inflammation and sharpen mental clarity.
Meanwhile the soothing heat of the wood-fired sauna is said to relax muscles and release tension. Communal drop-in sessions are available from £17.50 for one hour, with private hire, memberships and corporate hire costing more.
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