Report - Elvet Baths - Durham - August 2014

[Bunk3r]

they certainly did a better job of the skull than the bee! (or Bea or whatever they called it)

 

[Laura atkinson]

The Explore.....

Visited with Acid and a Non Member, this was an early start to the day and was the third explore of the day on our mini tour of the North East region.

Enjoyed this one.....a big thanks fellas for the day

A Bit of History......

The Baths were officially opened on 28th September 1932 at a cost of £31,519, replacing a peat-floored pool. The old pool had brown water due to the peat. Forty times national champion and Olympic swimmer J.G. Hatfield gave a display at the opening.

Separate entrances were provided for men and women, with a ticket office between. The larger pool measured 75ft by 30ft, big enough to be accepted by the Amateur Swimming Association for competitive meetings. The hall was enhanced with plaster decoration of bulrushes and water lilies on the arch-ribbed roof. The balcony was supported by a pair of sandstone columns in the form of lotus buds, at either end of the pool. Wrought iron railings around the balcony contained seahorse, dolphin and waterspout designs. A large window at the south end of the hall was decorated with water plants and goldfish in coloured glass, under the badge of the City (you can still see the badge, though the lower part of window is now gone).

The pool was closed in 2008. It is not a listed building and was due to be demolished and replaced with homes, offices and a restaurant at Elvet Waterside, but this fell through due to the recession.

On with the pics

I hope you enjoyed the report........I Will Knot

How did you get Into the building? I've been to have a look cudnt do anything as the police where wandering around looked like the back of the building

 

[mrwhite]

How did you get Into the building? I've been to have a look cudnt do anything as the police where wandering around looked like the back of the building

 

[Aidan_explores]

Hi guys, sorry im late but ive litrally just been inside the baths this evening, there is a open door on grround level, just requires climbing a wall, the place is in a state of early decay and is definitely worth a look around.