August 2008 news
Health Hydro, Swindon
What an amazing thing the Swindon Health Hydro is. And it's a hidden gem: passing it on Faringdon Road you get no sense that the building is open, and it looks more like a railway works than a swimming baths.
St Luke’s pool, Brighton
Many schools in the early 20th century had their own swimming pools, but this is the first one I've been in. The poor physical state of the nation's young men signing up to join the Boer War had come as a shock, and so healthy exercise was encouraged.
Manningham baths, Bradford
This is the most exceptional of the baths I have visted so far. Not because it has elaborate decoration, stained glass and very high quality finishes. It doesn't.
Queensbury pool, Bradford
Like much else in Queensbury, the baths were given by the local mill owners, the Foster family, whose firm is very much in business still today.
Batley baths
Batley is a beautiful town and Batley baths, designed by local architect Walter Hanstock, are a most suitable adornment to it.
