THE New Year’s day plunge at White Wells on Ilkley Moor returned on Sunday, January 1, 2023 after an absence of three years due to the Covid restrictions in place for 2021 and 2022.

The traditional New Year’s Day challenge sees hardy souls dive into the cold water plunge bath at White Wells spa cottage on Ilkley Moor.

Since 1995, people have queued up to take a refreshing New Year’s Day dip in the 8ft by 6ft stone bath.

Mark Hunnebell and Joanne Everall, of White Wells said: “We really didn’t know what to expect after such a break due to the Covid pandemic forcing us to cancel the event in 2021 and 2022.

“However, we were encouraged to see a queue starting to form before 9.30am, ready for opening at 10am.

“It proved to be a great atmosphere with a total of 285 people ‘taking the plunge’ throughout the day until 5pm - almost equalling the 300 last time around in 2020 - proving the event is still a popular and well established tradition going back to the first ‘plunge’ in 1995 with only a handful of participants.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their generous support of the event and also their support of the cafe too and wish them a very Happy New Year for 2023.”