Imagine it filled with water today, providing healthy swimming recreation! The following notice appeared:

“SPRING GARDENS RESERVOIR will be opened as a temporary Swimming Bath on Saturday May 20th 1893.”

Spring Gardens reservoir  surround has heavy white engineered sloping tiles.  In 1870 it was used for temporary storage for the railway and washing the streets.
The Reservoir was used for swimming whilst awaiting the  reopening of the Imperial Baths – Thermal Spa in South Street.

OUTCOME: Present day – drained  and a Recreational Ground for the surrounding Estate.

Spring Gardens past water tank – now play area. Will expand

Spring Gardens past water tank from the other end. The coloured brickwork was previously white. Will expand +

The houses alongside the reservoir to the right will have just about been built with gardens backing on to the reservoir. The remaining area around the reservoir would have been green fields – now a modern housing estate called Spring Terrace.

 Reading South Street Baths – 1883

The baths were nearby here in South Street. I did wonder if this was the site? Today it is the Arts Centre This is incorrect. More information has come to light!

Initial Information
“By the kindness of the Reading Biscuit Company Ltd…The Corp. Of Reading have enabled the opening of the Swimming Baths, South Street  (W.H.Simonds)”
The Baths were open for
Women – Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Men – Tuesday and Thursday”
Extract from “Kelly’s Directory – Reading.
Arthur C. Collins

Advertisement above from the “Ancient Order of Forestors & delegates Guide to Reading 1888

Advert for the Thermal Spa

OUTCOME:  ? in the area of the present day Arts centre.   NO.   IN EDIT….

I was approached by the Chairman of the Reading Civic Society Mr Richard Bennett, of which I am a member, asking me where I believe the location of the Swimming Baths in South Road Reading may have been.  I have always wondered the exact location.  I thus received some very informative information from Richard which enabled me to conclude that the Baths were situated on an area of ground leading from 50 South Street where Mr W.H. Simonds, Builder.   There was an area of land beyond, part of which would belong to the Biscuit Factory, and this area is where the Baths were built.  There is no trace today. I was also able to look up georeferenced maps viewer, 1880s.

 Map (in edit)

Reading Mercury 2nd of June 1883
THE NEW SWIMMING BATHS FOR READING
On Thursday last, the swimming baths in South Street in Reading, designed and constructed by Mr W.H. Simonds, builder, were opened to the public. The buildings which are of the most approved design and on a scale fully commensurate with the requirements of the town, have been nearly two years of building, and will meet a greatly – felt want in Reading, where hitherto nothing of the kind has existed. Mr Simonds has incurred great expense and trouble in carrying out the scheme which must prove of the greatest public benefit.
The principal  bath is fully 100 feet long by 30 feet wide and holds 100,000 gallons of water, the depth varying from 3 feet to 7 feet 6 ins.
It is heated by steam power, by which the water will be kept, winter and summer, at the pleasant temperature of 70 degrees, and the atmosphere of the building will be maintained at the same degree of warmth by hot water pipes. There are sixty dressing boxes, fitted with all necessary appliances, and offices and every other conveniences are provided.
A first class gentleman’s bath adjoins, its dimensions being 47 feet by 30 feet, and the depth 3 feet to 6 feet 6 ins. Around this are 20 dressing boxes fitted out in the most complete manner.  The heating is the same as in the larger room.  There is also a ladies swimming bath, similar in size with a depth of water sloping from 3 feet to 6 feet, heated in a similar way but with a temperature of 75 degrees. The dressing boxes are admirably fitted up. This bath is approached by an entirely distinct entrance.
Experienced teachers will always be in attendance both at the ladies and gentleman’s baths and will give instruction in swimming.   Each of the baths is supplied with an effectual spreading inlet,  and overflow, which will ensure a continual flow of water which however largely the baths may be used, the water will always be pure.  It will be seen in an advertisement in another column that the baths will be open from 6am to 9pm on weekdays, and from 6am to 8am on Sundays.  Private hot and cold water baths for ladies and gentlemen will be ready in about a fortnight,  and it is also intended to fit up about 20 similar baths in the basement for the working classes at a nominal charge.
Before the summer closes, Mr Simonds hopes to complete the construction and fitting up of Turkish, vapour, and other medical baths as required.  The baths are lighted with gas and will be open summer and winter,  and the buildings are painted and decorated with taste.  On the first floor are a number of apartments suitable for club rooms etc,  and the second floor comprises a suite of rooms for the manager.  In conjunction with the gentleman’s bath there is an excellent smoking room.

Outcome 10 years later
Reading Mercury 18th March 1893
FROM A BATH TO A BAKERY
We understand that the baths and workshops in South Street, and the strip of land adjoining belonging to Mr W.H. Simonds, have been purchased by the new Reading Biscuit Company for the carrying on of their business,  the amount paid for the whole, being £3800.

 

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