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View Full Version : Victoria Baths, Manchester June 2009



Gorecki
11-06-2009, 11:24 AM
Those who know me, know that I'm fascinated by old swimming pools and this one was no exception.
THEN imagine my delight when I found out that once a month they open the baths for tours.

So my boyfriend & I decided to make a trip out of this .. with the baths being 400 miles away. This was my frist time exploring down that way and can I just say I was blown away by how much abandonment we came across!
I don't get these folk who say "Ugh I'm stuck, need somewhere to start, tell me what's in the area" ... just get out there, things are waiting for you! :D

The baths opened in 1906 and consisted of 3 pools:
First class mens, second class mens and ladies.
The baths closed in 1993 & the building is now in very poor repair and yet remarkably intact with most of the stained glass and original tiling remaining.
Walking through the front doors I immediatley fell in love with the emerald green tiling.
I was in heaven and a very happy girl :Not Worthy

The exterior shot.

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/9.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/17.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/4.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/3-1.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/10.jpg

One of the many stained glass windows

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/11.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/14.jpg

Upstairs in the superintendants living quarters.
HIs son and daughter both swam in the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/16.jpg

The original doors from the living quarters

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/7.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/6-1.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/13.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/1-1.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/2-1.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/19.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/8.jpg

The Turkish Baths...
This was where the mortuary scenes were filmed in "Life on Mars" !!

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/12.jpg

Peter couldn't resist ..

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg95/Gorecki01/ue1/18.jpg

boxfrenzy
11-06-2009, 11:29 AM
Really good pictures, and what a lovely place. Like what you have done on the last pciture. Very good :thumb

BB
11-06-2009, 11:30 AM
Very nice :thumb Might have to see this place one day :)

vanishing days
11-06-2009, 11:53 AM
nice shots!

sqwasher
11-06-2009, 12:38 PM
Very nice pics, great last shot comparison! Amazing the amount of old stuff lying around!

Muse
11-06-2009, 01:53 PM
Great photos, looks like they're doing a good job on this place.

evilnoodle
11-06-2009, 06:46 PM
I agree with you about the green tiles, especially the tiled bannisters!

gibbo
11-06-2009, 07:03 PM
Good stuff. If you're ever back this way and need some guides to some good NW based stuff, let me know!

Gorecki
11-06-2009, 07:06 PM
Good stuff. If you're ever back this way and need some guides to some good NW based stuff, let me know!

Hey thanks!
I did message folk who I thought were local but not a soul got back to me :/

skin
11-06-2009, 08:24 PM
lovely shots, gorgeous place, liking the last pic too...lol

boxerheaven
12-06-2009, 02:27 PM
nice pics love the green tiles :)

Rochester
12-06-2009, 07:20 PM
Most excellent, this place ticks all the boxes for me, what days does it open, are they specific or is it something like the first monday of the month.?

Really good captures there..

Thin Ice
12-06-2009, 10:00 PM
That first shot of the exterior makes it look like the whole buildings is actually 2D but with elements to make the chimneys look 3D :-)

Chewy
12-06-2009, 10:56 PM
Good to see this place again :)

the pic of Peter is great.. you've even got the same amount of tiles in the pic :D

just a bit worried what the guy on the left is doing on the original.


SS you can find more info here (http://www.victoriabaths.org.uk/) :thumb

techiesteve
13-06-2009, 11:11 AM
Great pics, doesn't appear to have changed since I went there a few years ago with the UKLFG. We had the place to ourselves all day and shot it on large format. Must get back and shoot on digital, LF was a bit restrictive for some shots.