Plymouth Hoe – The Diving Stage and Pools plus Tinside Lido
Plymouth Hoe – The Diving Stage and Pools
The antics and fun was amazing from this specially built splendid diving stage.
Plymouth Hoe Diving Boards and Natural Pools. Private postcard collection agj
Jumping from the Boards agj 1999. Will enlarge +
Plymouth Hoe and its’ swell of the sea, and rise of the tide, were vital for the judgement of the dare devils of the time. Plymouth Hoe is so exciting and one is curious to hunt out the inlets and the rock formed tidal swimming pools. So interesting.
The famous diving stage into the sea. Courtesy of “In the Swim” ASA. Will enlarge +
High terraces, natural pools into the rocks, cascades, and eventually the diving stage.
Awaiting the right moment to dive… agj c 1999. Will expand++
New bathing houses were erected in 1913 and were formally opened by the Mayor of Plymouth Mr J.W.S. Godding J.P. on the 16th August.
A later stage of higher terraces, bathing houses a bridge and new dressing rooms were developed by 1930.
Swimming Clubs were founded here and even today there is a special area for naturist bathing. The tidal naturally formed smooth flat bottomed rock pools, different shapes and sizes, some shallow and some deep provides the facility for children, novice swimmers or sea swimmer to have fun and floating exercise.
A little along the rocky coastline the less adventuresome used the Lido. This was the result of a third and fourth stage project resulting in the semi circular pool called Tinside Lido, which was erected and opened in 1932. Later… the semi circle was enlarged to 180 feet in 1935, and necessitated a further opening!
The Old Tinside Lido-Plymouth Hoe. Private postcard collection agj. Will expand ++
The final opening was performed by Alderman R.R. Oke, and much festivity went into progress including all the swimming clubs from around. Floodlit bathing was soon introduced following this opening.
For many years it was well patronised and was home to the local swimming clubs including the Tinside Club.
It became doomed by the climate change and the enticing cheap guaranteed warm holidays abroad.
OUTCOME: It fell into disuse in 1980.
A Campaign was in progress to save the Lido. agj 2004. Campaigners fought to save the Lido and an English Heritage Grade II listing was successfully applied for.
REBORN…Tinside Lido was reborn! It was “semi lost” for a period. However I could not resist including the feature image of the Lido, and the one below awaiting the filling of glistening sparkling water once again!
Ready to fill with sparkling water. agj 2017. Will expand +
Tinside Lido today – Year 2021 – in all its glory. Courtesy of Miss Celie Mullen.
The same can’t be said about the Diving Boards. Todays health and safely rules demonstrations of undisciplined and hazardous use of the boards are zero tolerance. They have now been removed and are no longer a landmark in the Hoe.
Ed’s note: National ASA ruling – All lidos or swimming baths with depths less than 12 feet were to have all diving boards removed. This was undertaken during the 1990s.
A look back in history…
The Tinside Lido-Plymouth Hoe, before period of disuse. Private Postcard collection. Raphael Tuck and Sons Ltd. agj.
Through a period of disuse to restoration.
Site of Rock pools, diving stage and Tinside Lido. Geo reference 1892 – 1914 map. Very interesting to note location of the old pier with Pavilion, now in the past. Will expand to full view +++
Would you know when the rock pools filled in please ?
My mother lived in Plymouth from late mid 29s onwards. She remembers a one-legged black diver who hopped up the steps of the land stage to dive into the sea..Is this true? She is sure!
Plymouth Hoe – I lived in Cornwall just outside Plymouth for about three years (1956-59) Every summer my mother would take us all to TINSIDE Lido at the base of of Hoe. Having first learned to swim doggie paddle in the Suez Canal in 1954 I was eager to show off my swimming skills at the Lido. However being the tender I was I didn’t understand about salt water making more buoyancy! so I found it more difficult to swim in fresh water.
I remember swimming out to the fountains in the middle of the pool doing a leisurely breastroke with the arms, and hopping along on one leg hoping no one would notice. I have very fond memories of Tinside and the happy hot summers spent there. Each time I go to Plymouth I venture along the Hoe to reminisce. I believe there are moves to reinstate the Lido. Good luck with the website.” Sheila