Anonymous
A real gem. This pool started off life at the end of the nineteenth century as one of the City of Birmingham Corporation's public swimming baths. Listed by English Heritage (a Government Agency) for its historic interest, those of an architectural bent might be interested in the listing citation, which reads: "...the main POOL (c.1902) in a long rectangular hall with white tiled walls with blue and brown banding, and terra cotta decoration. To both sides, narrowly arcaded cubicles with terracotta arches studded with ball ornament. Roof structure of bolted elliptical girders, pierced with quatrefoil decoration, boarded above (but with raised clerestory visible externally). East end has viewing gallery with iron balustrade of freely handled Gothic design and wide terra cotta blind arch. West end wall has a large 3-light transomed mullioned window with coloured glass set in a terra cotta frame with side panels. The pool is tile lined with bands of polychrome tiles."
On a late afternoon visit, the pool was laned (fast, medium, slow) and very quiet: there were no more than three swimmers in any lane. Despite its age, the facility appeared to be very well maintained and spotless. The lifeguards and other staff evidenced a real pride in their historic place of work.
On a late afternoon visit, the pool was laned (fast, medium, slow) and very quiet: there were no more than three swimmers in any lane. Despite its age, the facility appeared to be very well maintained and spotless. The lifeguards and other staff evidenced a real pride in their historic place of work.