Manchester's Victoria Baths

[gilliwigs]

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I'm sure some of you remember the programme Restoration from a few years ago which was won by Manchester's Victoria Baths. The orchestra I belong to played at one of their Open Days yesterday, so I thought I'd post some pictures of the Baths. They've got through all the Lottery money but there is still loads to do before the baths can be used again, but it's a fantastic place, and we had a really interesting tour around. Hope you don't find the photos too boring! :- "

One of the stained glass windows in the Female swimming pool (there was a Male 1st class and a Male 2nd class!)

Glass blocks on the corridor floor, place there to reflect the light. These are not the originals but they've been re-done as it was.

The turnstile at the entrance.

The Turkish Baths have been restored - these stained glass windows are in the first room you would go in.

One of the original tiles on the walls - they'd been covered up with plaster board so they are in really good condition.

More stained glass

 

[gilliwigs]

A couple of views of one of the steam rooms

Another stained glass window

Fish mosaics on the floor - these are original

The Female pool again

Views of the roof

It's a really impressive building from outside too and is really set off by the deep blue skies we had yesterday

 

[trac]

brilliant pictures Manchester Baths about 15 minutes from me ,must go and have a look

 

[meddling]

i love all that tiling...so beautiful

 

[gilliwigs]

The outside of the building

Finally a couple of shots of the orchestra - me on my violin at the end of the 2nd row. Not a very good photo of me - all us violinists look like we have double chins! (w00t)

And one from above - there are more of us usually, there were quite a few missing

If anyone lives in the area and hasn't been around the Baths then I'd really recommend it - it was a very interesting place. :thumbsup:

 

[meddling]

That all looks terribly civilized and cultural gillian :huggles:

 

[gilliwigs]

That all looks terribly civilized and cultural gillian  :huggles:

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Well, I'm a very civilised and cultural person Clair....... :- " :lol:

 

[Julie D]

fab to see all those tiles and stained glass, are they going to let people swim again there when it's complete ?

We have a Victorian baths in Woolton Village in Liverpool, nice tiles and roof but I don't think there are any stained glass windows ! You can still swim there today ! (it's always too cold for me !)

 

[Karen-Coral]

what a bonny place!

our old baths in Lancaster are being turned into flats-but there is a preservation order on the outside of the building-so it is going to be a design combination of old/new-tricky to do and the colour orange is involved- (w00t) the plans look horrendous-we'll have to wait and see-many not happy about it.

back to your baths..I was looking for the water too.????

 

[whippetsrus]

Reminds me a bit of the old Saul Street Baths in Preston. They were demolished years ago now for the new courts. :cheers:

 

[FifeJillandIan]

Great pics - the old baths look wonderful - wouldn't it be great if they could be restored to full working (swimming) condition again :thumbsup:

 

[gilliwigs]

fab to see all those tiles and stained glass, are they going to let people swim again there when it's complete ?

I think the idea is to open at least one pool for swimming again, and to have the Turkish Baths in full working order. They would also keep one of the pools covered (which is where we played) and use it for events. Still a huge project in spite of the lottery money, but I hope they succeed. :thumbsup:

 

[Janimal]

Well done Gillian... :cheers:

What a grand builiding and those stained glass windows are just something else. :thumbsup:

 

[Trish]

what a grand place,so glad they are preserving it :thumbsup:

leeds had a baths just like that on kirkstall road to what i can remember of it,but they pulled it down when they opened the international swimming pool what a waste now the international is a eyesore which definatley needs flattening

 

[gilliwigs]

what a grand place,so glad they are preserving it :thumbsup: leeds had a baths just like that on kirkstall road to what i can remember of it,but they pulled it down when they opened the international swimming pool   what a waste now the international is a eyesore which definatley needs flattening

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It seems everyone I've spoken to remembers a baths like that - ours was Guildford Crescent in Cardiff where I had swimming lessons, that's gone too. Apparently, Victoria Baths was one of the biggest (maybe even the biggest) in the country, so it's lovely that they have been able to save it.

 

[Nicola]

Oh wow..isn't it lovely. Those windows and tiles...just fabulous. :teehee:

The green tiles remind me of the ones in the Cavendish Arcade in Buxton, which used to be old baths too I think.

Manchester has some fabulous old buildings, as do other towns nearby. Some have been left to go to wrack and ruin....luckily this one was saved :sweating:

Buxton is a case in point....they are still pfaffing about trying to decide how best to restore The Crescent....they've been doing that for 10 years now :- " If it was down South it would have been restored ages ago. :- "

Great photos...thanks for sharing :thumbsup:

 

[Ann Glews]

Great pics Gillian as ever. The baths look beautiful, I like the mosaics and turkish bath. There is the 1887 spa in Sheffield which is an old restored turkish bath (Glossop Road), it's really indulgent to go! Hope they manage to get the manchester one open and in use

 

[bertha]

That really takes me back, I can hear the turn stiles clicking now!!!!!!! I have been swimming there many years ago. I used to swim at Altrincham baths, all cream and green tiles, all the changing cabins round the pool, the smell of chorine etc. Those were the days!!!!!!!!

They have done a really good job restoring the Manchester baths, splendid building, well worth saving.

 

[anslinmcg]

Beautiful pictures - reminds me so much of Hyde baths where I learnt to swim - just wish I had visited Victoria Baths as they look stunning! The good old

 

[ladyp]

:thumbsup: great photo's