Trucks, old knights and even an oven were some of the festive fancy dress choices for those taking part in the outdoor swim on Christmas Day.
Glamorous bathers took to the sea in Dorset, Devon and Norfolk as well as the Serpentine Lake for the traditional Peter Pan Cup race in London’s Hyde Park.
The Met Office said sea surface temperatures across the country were between 8C and 11C.
The race in the capital is believed to be the world’s oldest continuous swimming competition, having been run since 1864.
It has been associated with author JM Barrie since 1903, when he donated the Peter Pan Cup.
Luke Belfield, who is training to become the first person with arthritis to swim the English Channel, said: “It’s a community, there are still people there, they’re so friendly, so vibrant, so lovely.
“It was actually pretty light, but I’m starting to shake a little.”
Katie Irving, who was participating for the third time, said that dealing with the cold gets easier the more times you do it.
“Your body gets used to it,” she added.