Rebel
05-05-2009, 09:05 PM
This is the Victoria baths in Manchester. It is one of the best examples of Victorian baths in the UK. The baths were built in 1903 and comprises of 3 seperate baths. The largest swimming pool was the grandest design for first class men only which had the cleanest water and emerald tiles around the entrance. It also had doors on the pool side changing rooms for added privicy. It was also used by upper class women on certain days of the week and special events. The second largest pool was used by 2nd class men which was not as wide as the first class pool and did not have doors in the changing rooms. The 3rd pool was the smallest of the pools which was for women only. They had to pay the same amount of money for the smallest pool as a first class man! The pools were not mixed sex because many people could not afford swimming costumes and was seem as socially unacceptable to have mixed sex baths without clothing. The class system was based on the ability to pay the rates rather than social status. It was belived that the fresh water was first pumped into the first class pool, emptied after around 3 days, filtered and pumped into the second class pool. Finally the water was filtered again and pumped into the 3rd pool so the women got the manky water :lol: The water was heated by a coal boiler but was barley even warm so the pool wasnt used as much during the winter months so the pool was covered and other social events took place.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9204.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9210.jpg
1st Class Mens Pool
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9213.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9222.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9225.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9298.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9294.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9226.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9232.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9318.jpg
2nd Class Males pool
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9224.jpg
3rd class - Womens - Still has the original stone steps because the metal ones were seen as upper class
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9233.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9279.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9292.jpg
infinity
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9257.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9267.jpg
Turkish Baths
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9272.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9330.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9235.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9343.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9358.jpg
Cheers,
~R :coffee
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9204.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9210.jpg
1st Class Mens Pool
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9213.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9222.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9225.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9298.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9294.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9226.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9232.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9318.jpg
2nd Class Males pool
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9224.jpg
3rd class - Womens - Still has the original stone steps because the metal ones were seen as upper class
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9233.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9279.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9292.jpg
infinity
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9257.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9267.jpg
Turkish Baths
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9272.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9330.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9235.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9343.jpg
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh295/Frontline81/Rebel/Victoria%20Baths/IMG_9358.jpg
Cheers,
~R :coffee