Smethwick Baths
The baths dates back to 1933 designed by Smethwick Borough Engineer, Roland Fletcher and the architect Chester Button. The building originally opened as Thimblemill Baths as a two-season facility, with swimming in the spring/summer months and concerts during the winter. It is an exceptionally fine building and a complete example of the ‘Moderne’ style of architecture. Reflecting this, and the wealth of high quality Art Deco internal features, the building is statutorily listed as Grade II. It hosted The Beatles and The Rolling Stones until it was converted into a leisure centre. The building has two pools.
Visited with @DustySensorPhotography . When we rocked up, it looked well protected with an abundance of cameras and security branding all around. The lack of boards with it only recently closing suggested that either would be heavily alarmed internally. Once we made it inside, the sensors were working and in no time, security arrived, so photographing the structure was pretty rushed. The main pool is really nice, one of the best I've seen, especially in a long time, even decaying slightly so I doubt it will be long before it starts to really struggle. Additionally, there are a lot of delightful Art Deco bits and bobs around the structure.
Reception.
CCTV! (recording)
Dance hall.
Pool 1
One from when it was open.
Gym.
Pool 2.
There was the changing rooms, a sauna and some other rooms, but nothing as interesting as the main bits. World record report right here, began at 16:11, gotta dash to make it to my car before parking runs out. Next time I have wi-fi I'll drop another.
Thanks for reading
The baths dates back to 1933 designed by Smethwick Borough Engineer, Roland Fletcher and the architect Chester Button. The building originally opened as Thimblemill Baths as a two-season facility, with swimming in the spring/summer months and concerts during the winter. It is an exceptionally fine building and a complete example of the ‘Moderne’ style of architecture. Reflecting this, and the wealth of high quality Art Deco internal features, the building is statutorily listed as Grade II. It hosted The Beatles and The Rolling Stones until it was converted into a leisure centre. The building has two pools.
Visited with @DustySensorPhotography . When we rocked up, it looked well protected with an abundance of cameras and security branding all around. The lack of boards with it only recently closing suggested that either would be heavily alarmed internally. Once we made it inside, the sensors were working and in no time, security arrived, so photographing the structure was pretty rushed. The main pool is really nice, one of the best I've seen, especially in a long time, even decaying slightly so I doubt it will be long before it starts to really struggle. Additionally, there are a lot of delightful Art Deco bits and bobs around the structure.
Reception.
CCTV! (recording)
Dance hall.
Pool 1
One from when it was open.
Gym.
Pool 2.
There was the changing rooms, a sauna and some other rooms, but nothing as interesting as the main bits. World record report right here, began at 16:11, gotta dash to make it to my car before parking runs out. Next time I have wi-fi I'll drop another.
Thanks for reading
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