Skip to content

Annual lido swim for dogs ends summer 'on a high'

Luke Knight,Somersetand
Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley,West of England
BBC One large white dog and a small black dog paddling in a swimming pool. The black dog has a red tennis ball in its mouth.BBC
Hundreds of dogs took part in the annual swim

Hundreds of dogs have had some "good fun" taking part in an annual swim at their local lido to finish summer "on a high".

Dogs and their owners took part in the event at Shepton Mallet Lido in Somerset on Saturday and Sunday.

Assistant manager Katie Chambers said with the pool being drained over winter, it "makes sense" to give dog owners an opportunity to swim with their pets, adding "it's all safe".

The event has grown in popularity over the years, organisers said.

A gathering of owners in swimwear with their dogs walking into the swimming pool via some stairs. There is a small patch of grass in the background with few white plastic garden chairs dotted around it.
The event has grown in popularity over the years

Sally said she has visited the annual swim with her four-year-old French bulldog Stan, for the last two years.

"We absolutely love it," she said.

Sally and Stan, a light brown French bulldog. She is standing inside the swimming pool and is wearing a blue T-shirt and green shorts and a black cap. She is showing a bright yellow tennis ball to Stan, who is sitting on the edge of the pool
Sally said she looks forward to the event every year

"It's absolutely fantastic and we look forward to it every year.

"He's a fantastic little dog, I wouldn't be without him."

A white Labrador exits the lido via a set of stairs and is looking at the camera.
Organisers said the lido is kept clean between sessions

Ms Chambers said it was lovely to "have lots of people through the doors again" after a quiet period due to bad weather.

"We thought it would be the best way to finish the season on a high," she said.

A black dog with a yellow tennis ball in its mouth is swimming towards the camera.
The event took place on Saturday and Sunday

"Everyone loves swimming with their own dog.

"It's something you don't really get to do unless you're wild swimming."

She explained the pool is regularly monitored for cleanliness during the dog swims.

Katie Chambers stands in front of the pool wearing a dark pullover and sports shades on her head. She has blonde hair and is smiling at the camera. There are dogs and their owners in the background.
Katie Chambers said the event means the pool can close on a "high"

"We backwash the pool and net out the hair in between each session. It's all safe and it's good fun.

"The first year we did it we had one sell-out session, so now we're doing whole weekends - it's definitely grown a lot over the years," she added.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.

More on this story