Pier Approach Baths, Bournemouth 1966
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The Pier Approach Baths in Bournemouth were a prominent feature of the town?s seafront for nearly 50 years, providing a popular destination for swimming, bathing, and leisure from their opening in 1937 until closure in 1984.
Origins and Early History
Bournemouth?s connection with public bathing dates back to 1838, when the original town baths opened on the site near the pier. These first facilities were modest, but by 1865, a new building combined Sydenham?s Royal Marine Library and Reading Rooms at the front with updated baths at the rear. Over time, adjacent buildings such as Marlborough House (later renamed Seabourne House) complemented the area?s development as a seaside resort.
In 1934, both the earlier baths and the library building were demolished to make way for a modern, purpose-built facility ? the Pier Approach Baths.
The 1937 Pier Approach Baths
The new baths officially opened on March 23, 1937, amid nationwide efforts to promote health and fitness. The then Minister of Health, Sir Kingsley Wood, praised the baths as a valuable addition to Bournemouth?s many attractions, highlighting the town?s mild climate as ideal for swimming and bathing.
The building featured a large indoor swimming pool with seating for over 600 spectators, making it a popular venue for swimming and diving competitions as well as summer aqua shows. Facilities included slipper baths for men and women on the upper floors, offering various treatments such as Zotofoam baths?marketed as a way to reduce body size without dieting. The ground floor also housed Turkish baths, including hot rooms, a shampoo room, plunge pools, cooling rooms, and massage facilities, reflecting the era?s emphasis on health and wellness.
Decline, Closure, and Legacy
After decades of use, the Pier Approach Baths closed in 1984 and were demolished two years later in 1986. The site lay vacant until redevelopment began in 1998, resulting in The Waterfront complex, which included an IMAX cinema (demolished itself in 2013).
Today, the site forms part of Bournemouth?s vibrant seafront area, home to landmarks such as Bournemouth Pier and the Lower Gardens.
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