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Camberwell baths
Opened 1891
117 laps swum on Wednesday 30 July 2008
Artichoke Place, Camberwell, London
Listed Grade II on 27 July 1993
Camberwell Baths is apparently the earliest surviving public baths (1891) by Henry Spalding and Alfred WS Cross who came to specialise in this building type. Cross later wrote the key text on the subject, Public Baths and Wash-Houses A Treatise on Their Planning, Design, Arrangement, and Fitting (Batsford, 1906). They certainly made a show with their entrance elevation. It is a large site, but with only a relatively small front, tucked away down Artichoke Place so it needed to make an impression. This range is only a room or so deep; the pool halls themselves are single-storey and run back behind. There is a plaque on the front between the doors recording the names of all involved. The gilded architectural lettering beneath the cornice is very handsome.
The pay box in the lobby is original as are, by the looks of it, the floor tiles. But what about the stained glass 'Public Baths' sign? Inside, the pool hall has elaborate balcony fronts but there is little other surviving decoration. The effect relies instead on the generous proportions of the pool hall, the top lighting and chunky supporting woodwork.
See the list entry on Heritage Gateway.
See the pool website. (Fusion for Southwark Council)
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The front entrance on Artichoke Place
Ian having swum 117 lengths.
(Many thanks to the anonymous photographer)
Ian having swum 117 lengths.
(Many thanks to the anonymous photographer!)
This plaque, set low on the wall between the entrances, records the names of those responsible in the Parish of Camberwell for the erection of the baths.
Stained glass over entrance door.
The impressive facade is only a room deep by the looks of it. The first class pool hall is immediately behind.
The entrance to the former public wash house on Harvey Road.
Baths were where you swum. Wash-houses were where you did your washing!
Inside the main pool hall at Camberwell
