The 200-year-old Cleveland Pools in Bath will reopen to the public for the first time in over 30 years in 2021.
The oldest surviving open-air swimming baths in the UK are set to be fully restored and reopened to the public, thanks to a grant from the National Lottery.
The Grade II* listed Cleveland Pools, a 200-year-old Georgian lido in the historic city of Bath, has secured funding of £4.7m to enable restoration to begin.
Built in the shape of a miniature crescent, referencing Bath’s renowned architecture, the site includes two bathing pools, the original changing rooms and a private ladies pool. First opened in 1815 following the Bathwick Water Act which prohibited nude bathing in the river, the site has been closed since 1984. It has since deteriorated and was placed on English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk register.
The project will conserve the Georgian features and upgrade the facilities to allow for year-round swimming and other activities. The pools will be naturally treated and heated using the latest technology, and when complete, there will be a 25-metre swimming pool, children’s splash area, pavilion and cafe for the public to enjoy.
The project will also bring the historic stories of the Pools to life, including that of the eccentric swimming teacher Captain Evans who lived on the site with his pet baboon and would entertain visitors by being hoisted 100ft into the air and diving into the pool wearing a top hat to cushion his entry.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant will cover a significant amount of the £5.7m costs for the entirety of the restoration project. The Trust, having already raised £800k, will now secure the remaining funds.
