Cold Plunge Pool in South London
Your local cold plunge retreat
What Is a Cold Plunge?
A cold plunge is a small, deep pool of chilled water designed for short, deliberate immersions rather than long swims.
At Contrast Anerley:
Our plunge is kept in a cold therapy range (typically 8–12°C)
Depth is set so you can comfortably sit and submerge up to the shoulders
It’s in a private, low-capacity space, not a big communal spa area
Think of it as an ice bath – but cleaner, calmer and purpose-built for recovery, not a DIY wheelie bin in the garden.
Most people use the plunge:
On its own as a quick cold exposure session
Or in combination with our Finnish sauna next door in the same unit for full contrast therapy
You can read more about the sauna on our Finnish Sauna page.
BOOK YOUR SAUNA & COLD PLUNGE SESSION
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BOOK YOUR SAUNA & COLD PLUNGE SESSION |
How to Safely Enjoy Your Session
Cold exposure is powerful, so the goal is controlled stress, not suffering.
A few simple guidelines:
Start gradually
First time? Think short dips (30–60 seconds) rather than long endurance tests.
Focus on breathing
Expect a sharp “cold shock” at first – keep your shoulders down, breathe slowly through the nose and let your body settle.
Listen to your body
Numb hands/feet, intense shivering, chest pain, dizziness or feeling “not right” = time to get out immediately.
Warm back up properly
Use the Finnish sauna or warm clothing afterwards; don’t jump straight into a hot shower if you’re extremely cold – warm up in stages.
Cold therapy is not recommended for everyone.
If you have heart or circulation issues, are pregnant, on certain medications, or have any doubts, you should speak to your GP or healthcare provider first. This is a general wellness service, not medical treatment.
Inside Contrast Anerley, we keep the environment:
Clean and organised
Quiet and low-traffic, so you’re not being stared at while you’re trying not to squeal in the cold
You get the benefits of serious cold exposure without the chaos.
Benefits of Cold Exposure
Cold therapy has become popular with athletes and everyday people because of its potential benefits, including:
Helping reduce perceived muscle soreness after intense training
Supporting recovery when used alongside good sleep, nutrition and strength work
Giving a noticeable mood and energy lift for many people after a session
Training mental resilience – learning to stay calm under controlled stress
The science is still developing, but there’s growing evidence around mood, wellbeing and recovery – especially when cold exposure is combined with sensible training and lifestyle.
To dive deeper into how we combine the cold plunge with our Finnish sauna for contrast therapy, and what the research says, visit our Benefits of Contrast Therapy page
How to Book a Cold Plunge Session
You can use our cold plunge pool on its own or combine it with our Finnish sauna for full contrast therapy, with the option of adding on Red Light Therapy.
If you want to experience sauna and cold plunge together see our Finnish sauna page for how the combo works and what to expect.
Once you’re booked, you just show up we’ve handled the rest – towels, filtered water, and a clean, quiet space.
Ready to book your cold plunge in Anerley?
Go straight to our Booking page and choose your session length and add-ons.
We keep numbers low so you’re not sharing the space with loads of people – just you (and whoever you booked with), the heat, the cold and a quiet corner in South London to reset your system.
How to find us in South London
Address: Please read instructions
Unit 106, 183a Anerley Road, London, SE20 8EF
Stay on the main road (sometimes the postcode misleads people) and opposite Betts Park you will see a slip road (there’s a big sign that says Anerley Works) that leads to the building. When you arrive by the main entrance please dial 107 or 106 and press ENTER. There is free parking on site. Please do call speaker, if we don’t hear you coming we might not see that you are waiting in front of the door. We are coaching at 107 and this is where you can find us if you need us.
Email: hello@contrastlondon.co.uk
Opening hours:
Monday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Tuesday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Thursday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Friday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 9.00am - 3.00pm
Contrast Anerley is a around a 10 minute drive from Crystal Palace, Sydenham, 15 mins from Beckenham, and within 30 mins from Croydon. For further information and directions see our Contact page.