Archive
Manningham Baths, Bradford
Opened 25 July 1904
105 lengths swum on 6 August 2008
Carlisle Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Listed Grade II on 21 June 2007
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.
Its interest lies in its very survival. Baths like this must have been erected in their hundreds around 1900, all over the country, but there are virtually none left today in this intact state. Sure there have been some alterations here, but none which detract significantly from the experience of swimming in an 'ordinary' Edwardian baths -- nowadays an 'extraordinary' experience. The most noticeable change is the roof over the pool which has been reconfigured, no longer boasting a lantern.
It is perhaps easier to appreciate the 'showpiece' baths such as the Victoria Baths in Manchester, and Moseley Road in Birmingham. Both of these are listed Grade II*, but you can only swim in half of Moseley Road, and not at all in Victoria Baths, despite its victory in the BBC TV Restoration programme. The beauty and charm of their tiling and stained glass is obvious, but the historic importance of this simpler substantially intact baths should not be overlooked.
Money must be found to fix up this building, and for a very light touch restoration. It is a national treasure. The 'Olympic legacy' we should be aiming for is to get surviving historic pools back into top condition so that generations of ordinary swimmers can enjoy a dip in their local for a long time to come. Surely the department that overlooks both sport and heritage can manage this?
Manningham Baths were designed by Bradford City architect Frederick Edwards (1863-1945), and opened in 1904. English Heritage's list entry says: 'The building is a skilful compostion, with well detailed exterior stonework achieving a clean, uncluttered exterior which complements other public buildings in the immediate vicinity... The completeness of the interior is exceptional, including original changing cubicles, decor and reception area, and unusual detail such as ceramic spittoons along the sides of the pool.'
I can't help thinking that it should be upgraded to Grade II* due to the rarity of its survival.
Kathie Griffiths, 'Historian goes to great lengths', Telegraph and Argus (Bradford), 6 August 2008. (video)
Ben Barnett, 'Going to great lengths to save pools', Telegraph and Argus (Bradford), 6 August 2008. (story)
View the list entry on Heritage Gateway.
See the pool website (City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council).
(Why did I swim 105 laps? Well my original information was that the pools had been opened in 1903, but it turns out that they were begun that year, and opened in 1904. In fact at most pools I've swum 120 laps just to be on the safe side of any later historical disputes!)
Post a Comment
Manningham pool. The interior has been little changed since the pool opened. It gives a great impression of what an 'ordinary' Edwardian pool would have been like.
Related Articles
Manningham Baths. The interior soon after opening in 1904. It has changed relatively little, and must be one of the best-preserved 'district baths' in England today.
The entrance front on Carlisle Road. It looks much the same as it did when it opened, apart from the loss of the railings, and the new signage.
Manningham Baths as they were soon after they opened in 1904.
Ian at Manningham pool.
The original mens entrance. Although there was only one pool, there were separate slipper baths for men and women, necessitating two entrances.
The back of the baths complex and the elevation to Drummond Road. In the centre is the pool hall; on the left is the water tower, and on the right are the mens slipper baths, still there today, though no longer in use.
An original cast rainwater head with the date 1903, the year the foundation stone was laid. The baths did not open until the following year. Unfortunately the green moss indicates that the hopper has been regularly overflowing, saturating the wall and causing damage to the inside of the building.
The stone piers originally had iron railings and gates. They're quite stylish.
The other flank of the baths, seen from Carlisle Road.
The page describing Manningham District Baths from a special publication commemorating the opening of Bradford Central Baths (since closed and converted to entertainment uses) in 1905.
The foundation stone, a single block of marble placed between the showers at the end of the pool hall.
Scum trough and an original spittoon ... an unusual survival.
I'm no expert in urinals, but these appear to be original too!
Ghostly directions to the WCs
The original poolside changing cubicles. Women's cubicles are on the opposite side of the pool, and have a curtain as well to preserve their modesty.
The original showers at the end of the pool, still in use.
Men's slipper baths. Still in use until a couple of years ago, but the state of the ceiling has put a stop to that.
