Wild swimming and ice tub at Broughton Sanctuary near Skipton

I step into the barrel, onto a ledge, following instructions from the lovely Jake Chapman, our wild water guide. “Your body will panic when you first get in and you will want to get out. Just focus on breathing - a nice, slow exhale - and you’ll be fine,” he says.

However cold this gets, it can’t be worse than the humiliation of being winched out of a barrel, while having a panic attack. I am not going to be that person. I am going to endure whatever this is.

Cold water immersion - basically plunging yourself into sub-zero temperatures in an ice bath/tub - is said to have various health benefits, including pain relief, reducing inflammation and boosting metabolism. Athletes and dancers use ice baths to relieve sore muscles.

It’s not something I’ve ever yearned to do. But having been invited to Broughton Sanctuary near Skipton, to try wild swimming, I’m now faced with an ice tub and I can hear myself saying: “We're here now, might as well do it...”

My friend, Suzanne, is braving it with me and our main concern is emerging from the changing room, in the nearby woodland sauna, in swimming costumes. I didn’t bring a robe, just my Lidl sliders - and a cardigan. I mean, it’s not exactly Baywatch.

However, as I lower myself into the ice tub, none of that matters. All I can think about is being immersed in freezing cold water, and chunks of ice, and I somehow manage to breathe slowly, in and out. “Try and do two minutes,” says Jake, setting his timer. I’m in it up to my shoulders and feel surprisingly calm. The slow exhaling helps. My eyes are shut tight, then I remember where I am - the lovely Broughton Hall estate with the Dales beyond - so I try to soak in the view.

“Should I put my hands in?” I ask, realising I’m gripping the top of the barrel. “Hands are the hardest but try and get them in,” says Jake. It’s painful to put my hands in the ice, but I manage to keep them there until the two minutes are up. “Well done - you’ve smashed it!” cries Jake as I climb out of the tub, with less dignity than a circus elephant.

I feel great though. I’m tingling! As my body temperature rises, the blood flow returns to the tissues and my skin feels wonderful. Wrapped in towels, we head for the woodland sauna, to warm up ahead of the wild swim. “Is it easier after the ice tub?” I ask, looking over to the pond. “No,” smiles Jake. I admire his honesty.

The woodland sauna at Broughton Sanctuary (Image: Newsquest)

The sauna is heaven, but bittersweet, because out there is cold, deep open water, and we have to get into it. After about 10 minutes there’s no putting it off any longer. The wild swimming takes place in an old reservoir that once supplied water to Broughton Hall. It’s very deep, nobody knows how deep, says Jake.

I love swimming - in a heated pool, not open water, when you can’t see what’s beneath. But standing at the edge of the water, I’m not thinking about the depth, or whatever creatures might be lurking in it. I’m just thinking about how cold it’s going to be in there. Jake says it’s best to jump straight in but I decide to do it the slow, painful way. I climb down the steps then fall back into the water. The shock of the cold literally takes my breath away. I gasp and look up, wild-eyed, at Jake for reassurance. “You’re doing fine,” he beams. “It’s soooo cold!” says Suzanne, through chattering teeth.

Suzanne, left, and Emma try wild swimming (Image: Newsquest)

I wouldn’t exactly say we’re swimming - more flailing around, breathing loudly - but we’re in the water! In winter! And in just a swimming costume - no wetsuit, hat or gloves, which is what many wild swimmers wear. I feel pretty hardcore by the time I climb out. The dopamine is kicking in, and I’m proud of us.

Wild swimming is hugely popular, in lakes, ponds, lagoons, quarries and rivers. There are swimming communities across the UK, with firm friendships made in the water. The health benefits of cold water have been long known. The Romans loved a plunge pool, and Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale took cold baths and hydrotherapy to strengthen the constitution. It’s good for metabolism, the immune system and weight loss - cold water swimming strips body fat more than any other exercise, apparently - and it is healing. The endorphin high creates a sense of wellbeing and is said to help with depression.

The wild swimming site at Broughton Sanctuary, with views of the estate and the Dales beyond (Image: Newsquest)

Jake swims regularly in open water, he’s even broken ice to get in, and says it’s great for mindfulness; just being in the moment, focusing on the feel of the water. After we’ve thawed out in the sauna, he serves up hot chocolate and we sit around a fire. As well as health benefits, Jake says cold water swimming is good for confidence and facing fears. I do feel empowered. Next time I’m nervous or anxious about something, I will remember the time I sat in a tub of ice.

I loved the sense of connecting with nature, immersed in the peace and tranquility of this beautiful place, surrounded by trees and rolling hills. There’s something special about Broughton; it feels like stepping out of the frantic world and re-setting mind and body.

Heavenly...woodland sauna at the wild swimming site (Image: Newsquest)

* Broughton Sanctuary offers a range of nature based activities, including forest bathing, fire temple, foraging and walking trails. Visit broughtonsanctuary.co.uk or call (01756) 799608.