New Brighton Swimming Stadium above. Diving Stage and administration block. Central Library 2003 Jennifer Done and J Cooper

New Brighton Bathing Pool – Britains greatest water stadium

New Brighton Bathing Pool Opening. Click on Pathe clip. Courtesy of British Pathe. Jack Cullen 2010

Commemoration Plaque of the Opening.Central Library 2003 Jennifer Done and J Cooper

New Brighton Bathing Pool was a wonderful Lido,

opened 13th June 1934 by RT. HON. VISCOUNT LEVERHULME
The pool cost £102,40 to build and was said to express monolithic unity, with its bold and imposing effect of sweeping cantilevered projections.
The surrounds to the pool , and spectators seating area were paved with green granite and coloured cement.

There was music played by day, and underwater lighting for evening bathing. Spectacular aqua shows, with coloured floodlighting drew the crowds. 

Jennifer Done and J Cooper

There were two cafe/restaurants. One at ground level being a large room with wood block floors, having two double door openings leading onto terraces overlooking the pool.

Imagine dining here during the heyday Magical summer evenings after a bathe under floodlighting. Wallasey Central Library 2003 Jennifer Done and J Cooper

The upstairs cafe is approached by raised terraces, of modern design, embodying balconies and canopies cantilevered from the main walls. There was a committee room leading to a large balcony overlooking the deep end and competition areas of the pool.

Imposing entrance. Wallasey Central Library 2003 Jennifer Done and J Cooper

The buildings were constructed at promenade level and possessed an imposing entrance.

Railway Poster of the Wallasey Pool

Hours of opening were 7am. to 8 pm (or 9 pm) and cost 6d during the week and 1/- at weekends. One could hire turkish towels, ordinary towels, a costume and deck chair all for 10d. For spectators it cost the sum of 2d. Built out onto the sands with a southerly aspect, the pool and buildings occupied over 5 acres […]

Read more…Another huge water stadium, St Leonards Bathing Pool, Hastings

New Brighton magnificent and attractive bathing pool drew no less than 100,000 people within a week of the opening. Over a million people passed through the turnstiles during the first 15 week season.

The Great Water Stadium – New Brighton.   Wallasey Central Library 2003.  Jennifer Done and J Cooper

OUTCOME: This beautiful pool was ravaged by storms in 1990, and despite much opposition, the bathing pool was demolished.

Plenty of attractions at the Water Stadium . Courtesy of Swimming Times 1948

2004 –  an open green field lies stripped of what once stood there. In memory of the pool, a plaque and pictures are mounted along the promenade in front of the site.

What was – what is

The site is bare.  Its hard to think this pool is a memory of the past.

New Brighton Bathing Pool. The site of the Water Stadium.  Geo referenced 1949 – 69 map. Will expand to full view.

A return link to my blog index of Lidos