British Swimming Pools: A Brief History of Fun

UK tv documentary in which Dr Matthew Sweet explore why the British turned swimming into a leisure activity. Captain Webb, the first man to swim the channel, sparked a Victorian craze for the sport - just when hygeine campaigners were building new 'public baths'. Matthew visits the only grade II listed pool still in public use - as well as the immense, outdoor and unheated Tooting Bec lido. From 2006.

[@Tee12343]

Loved the old municipal swimming pools changing rooms poolside..

[@ixlnxs]

The last 45 seconds are SPLENDID

[@newtonwhatevs]

Absolutely no way I'm dipping a single toe in a public swimming pool after watching this.

[@carolinekaplan542]

Superb video !!!!

[@Queen-of-Swords]

You are channeling Jonathan Meades,

[@davidmiller4078]

Auguably one of the great social achievments of the British Empire dash Commonwealth As a Lifeguard and Swimming teacher ive enjoyed visiting the old outdoor pools apparently our mum and dad took my brother and i to Butlins as crawlers and toddlers and i kept gravitating to the water so they decided to take us regulary usualy on a sun morning Then we would get back and dad would cook an enormous fry up only once a week mind but it was special Ive chosen to live near the sea but my holidays these days are spent visiting the old pools before the dodgy local Councellors sell them off to built flats for homeless russian Oligarcs or non swimming illegal immigrants oh well fingers crossed for a bit of Nortern European sunny weather ?

[@irina8537]

❤💋🥰