Amidst talk of cutbacks and closures it’s easy to forget some of the fantastic municipal facilities that Birmingham has run in much harder economic times than those we face today. A recent discussion stemming from a photo of the Cannon Hill Bathing Pool on the Digital Balsall Heath site got a few of us discussing the number of Lidos, open air swimming pools, there used to be in Brum. Wouldn’t it be lovely to take a dip outdoors in this landlocked city?
So, following on from that, Steve Beauchampé has dug out a list of lidos in and around Birmingham over the years. Please let us know if you remember any of these!
Open Air Pools and Lidos in Birmingham and District
- Brookvale Park, Park Road, Erdington (7th October 1909-1926)
- Bournville Lido, Oak Farm Road, Bournville (2nd July 1937-c1972 demolished c1976; 1977-1987, demolished 1997) now housing
- Bournville Men’s Open Baths, Linden Road (1898-c1936/7) now the Settling Pool
- Cannon Hill Park Bathing Pool (1st September 1873; reconstructed 15th June 1921-1938)
- Dartmouth Park, Devonshire Drive, West Bromwich (1887-)
- Keeper’s Pool Lido, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield (June 30th 1887-1933; 1933-1961; 1961-March 2002) closed and demolished after fire, site now landscaped
- Greswolde Lido/Pool – behind The Greswolde Hotel/Restaurant, High Street, Knowle, Solihull – now flats, (13th June 1936-cAug 1965)
- Malvern Hall (or Park) Lido, Malvern Park, Solihull, opened (c1944-c September 1982) now overgrown/derelict
- Shirley Sports Lido and Swimming Pool, Sansome Road, Shirley; (6th June 1936-1939) now offices
- Small Heath Park Lido, Small Heath Park (aka Victoria Park) (9th July 1883; reconstructed 14th June 1922-1938)
- Stechford Lido, Station Road, Stechford (August 1964-1991) now Cascades leisure pool (covered)
- West Heath Lido (The Bath Tub), Aldridge Road, West Heath (1st July 1937-1940)