Celebrating 'Great Lengths' at Victoria Baths

Manchester's Victoria Baths © Crown copyright NMR Join English Heritage for an exclusive evening at Manchester's Victoria Baths. The evening charts the amazing restoration project at the Baths, as well as celebrating the launch of 'Great Lengths', the thirteenth book in the acclaimed series, 'Played in Britain', in which authors Dr Ian Gordon and Simon Inglis trace the development of indoor pools beginning with the Georgian period, right up to the current generation of leisure pools.

One of just five public baths in England to be grade II* listed, the Victoria Baths were designed as a prestigious bathing complex by Manchester's first 'City Architect', Henry Price, in 1906. No expense was spared in either the Bath's design or construction and for 86 years they provided the local community with facilities for both the practical side of life, with its wash baths and for leisure time with three swimming pools and a Turkish Baths suite.

Sadly with the economic downturn of the 1970's and 80's and facing repair bills totalling £500,000, the Council took the decision to close Victoria Baths on 13th March 1993.  This decision provoked outcry from local people who had valued the Baths, both for their swimming facilities and for the building itself, an integral part of Manchester's heritage. 

In 2002, with funding from English Heritage and the A6 Partnership, Victoria Baths Trust carried out a £257,000 programme of emergency work to the historic building. In September 2003, Victoria Baths made national headlines by winning the BBC's first series of Restoration, resulting in Lottery funding of £3,000,000.

In 2008, with support from English Heritage and Lottery funding, Restoration Phase 1 has been completed, and the Baths are now moving to the second phase of restoration.

To see firsthand the fabulous restoration project at Victoria Baths, and hear from co-author of Great Lengths, Simon Inglis, on the importance of the social heritage of Britain's historic swimming pools, book a ticket to our exclusive member's event on Wednesday 9th September 2009.  Tickets are £20 which includes a finger buffet with wine.

For more information or to purchase a ticket call 0870 333 1183