Victoria Baths - Manchester - May 2009

[Rebel]

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 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.

1st Class Mens Pool
















2nd Class Males pool


3rd class - Womens - Still has the original stone steps because the metal ones were seen as upper class






infinity




Turkish Baths

Cheers,

~R

[boxfrenzy]

Lovely pictures mate. I'd like to see this at some stage. Nice one.

[evilnoodle]

Wow! Excellent pics. Windows are wonderful, and I love the tiled bannisters.

[converse1]

^^^ Yeah! excellent stuff.

[Muse]

Great stuff

[Gorecki]

I love this place...
Going to make a trip down soon. I MUST see it!!
Interesting to see the 2nd class pool with the jumble sale going on or whatever it is!!

[sqwasher]

Great photos of a great looking building! Interesting reading about the different pools etc, nice one Rebel.

[monsteroo7]

Makes me wanna go....excellent shots

[ERNIE99_UK]

Its a truly magnificent building. Theyve spent a huge amount of money restoring the frontage, which included restoring and releading the stained glass, fixing the railings and doors and reslating the roof with original style welsh slate.

They also lifted off the clock tower by crane and fully rdid the timbers and mechanism before putting it back. The next stage is to scaffold the 1st class pool and fix the roof.