St James' Baths
On the right - the baths in it's theatre period.
The leisure facility was opened on 9th June 1932, costing £10,000 to build and equip with swimming, slipper, Turkish and Russian baths. The pool was the first in England to be fitted with underwater lighting that would hope to prevent accidents, with 24 electrical lights lights along the sides. Unlike most swimming baths of the time, the changing facilities weren't around the pool but in separate areas near the entrance hall. During the Winter months, the pool was replaced with a maple floor allowing performances and film screenings to go ahead. A projection room (although empty) can be accessed on one side of the pool. Consequently, the baths was used as a venue for many performers including the Beatles in the 1960s, who charged £40 for their show. Due to structural concerns, the baths was closed in 2013 and is awaiting a buyer.
A colour photo of the pool.
Although it was pitch black inside and torches were running low, it was an interesting place with various pieces of rare architecture from different times. Plus, a rope swing had been crafted in the pool which was a nice addition.
The main hall from the balcony.
Looking back to the projector room side of the pool. Didn't get a shot of the room itself but it was totally bare.
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Nice arches above one of the three entrances to the building.
Entrance #1
Entrance #2
Entrance #3
A nice Art Deco design, I believe showing a ship sailing during a storm.
Changing rooms.
Turkish baths, one of three remaining in the country and probably the main reason it is Grade Two Listed.
That's all for the photographs. Here is the link to our documentary styled video on the property. We cover it's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrKsSA6xKTM&t=172s
Thanks for reading![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
![50170812576_807409ff4b_n.jpg 50170812576_807409ff4b_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261353-50170812576-807409ff4b-n.jpg)
![50171070872_aeffba7b8a_n.jpg 50171070872_aeffba7b8a_n.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261354-50171070872-aeffba7b8a-n.jpg)
On the right - the baths in it's theatre period.
The leisure facility was opened on 9th June 1932, costing £10,000 to build and equip with swimming, slipper, Turkish and Russian baths. The pool was the first in England to be fitted with underwater lighting that would hope to prevent accidents, with 24 electrical lights lights along the sides. Unlike most swimming baths of the time, the changing facilities weren't around the pool but in separate areas near the entrance hall. During the Winter months, the pool was replaced with a maple floor allowing performances and film screenings to go ahead. A projection room (although empty) can be accessed on one side of the pool. Consequently, the baths was used as a venue for many performers including the Beatles in the 1960s, who charged £40 for their show. Due to structural concerns, the baths was closed in 2013 and is awaiting a buyer.
![50170812571_0143c09f2e_z.jpg 50170812571_0143c09f2e_z.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261355-50170812571-0143c09f2e-z.jpg)
A colour photo of the pool.
Although it was pitch black inside and torches were running low, it was an interesting place with various pieces of rare architecture from different times. Plus, a rope swing had been crafted in the pool which was a nice addition.
![50170813141_c1236e6bca_b.jpg 50170813141_c1236e6bca_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261356-50170813141-c1236e6bca-b.jpg)
The main hall from the balcony.
![50170269053_07076a6cfd_b.jpg 50170269053_07076a6cfd_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261357-50170269053-07076a6cfd-b.jpg)
![50170268833_bbe8ccd701_b.jpg 50170268833_bbe8ccd701_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261358-50170268833-bbe8ccd701-b.jpg)
![50170813786_fec1e32ec2_b.jpg 50170813786_fec1e32ec2_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261359-50170813786-fec1e32ec2-b.jpg)
Looking back to the projector room side of the pool. Didn't get a shot of the room itself but it was totally bare.
![50171071782_6808befac5_b.jpg 50171071782_6808befac5_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261360-50171071782-6808befac5-b.jpg)
Nice arches above one of the three entrances to the building.
![50171071992_10c7cfaa61_b.jpg 50171071992_10c7cfaa61_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261361-50171071992-10c7cfaa61-b.jpg)
Entrance #1
![50171072512_a9c76830e0_b.jpg 50171072512_a9c76830e0_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261362-50171072512-a9c76830e0-b.jpg)
Entrance #2
![50171072317_19a1aa8167_b.jpg 50171072317_19a1aa8167_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261363-50171072317-19a1aa8167-b.jpg)
![50171073057_ec1949c168_b.jpg 50171073057_ec1949c168_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261364-50171073057-ec1949c168-b.jpg)
Entrance #3
![50170270618_2297466914_b.jpg 50170270618_2297466914_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261365-50170270618-2297466914-b.jpg)
![50170270413_db02b69d5a_b.jpg 50170270413_db02b69d5a_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261366-50170270413-db02b69d5a-b.jpg)
A nice Art Deco design, I believe showing a ship sailing during a storm.
![50170271263_d10ee98968_b.jpg 50170271263_d10ee98968_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261367-50170271263-d10ee98968-b.jpg)
Changing rooms.
![50170814971_26b8ac792a_b.jpg 50170814971_26b8ac792a_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261368-50170814971-26b8ac792a-b.jpg)
Turkish baths, one of three remaining in the country and probably the main reason it is Grade Two Listed.
![50170380288_acd0f80fe8_z.jpg 50170380288_acd0f80fe8_z.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261369-50170380288-acd0f80fe8-z.jpg)
![50171071587_92767f0738_b.jpg 50171071587_92767f0738_b.jpg](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/derelictplaces/data/attach/261/261370-50171071587-92767f0738-b.jpg)
That's all for the photographs. Here is the link to our documentary styled video on the property. We cover it's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrKsSA6xKTM&t=172s
Thanks for reading