Victorian railway workers' swimming pool to reopen

2 January 2026

Bea SwallowWest of England

News image — Visitors will see a redesigned entrance hall, new changing rooms, and refreshed gym and activity spaces

BBC The large refurbished swimming pool, with bright turquoise water and tiled lanes on the bottom. It is inside a Victorian building with white stone walls, arched metal beams and bright white lighting. — Visitors will see a redesigned entrance hall, new changing rooms, and refreshed gym and activity spaces

A listed Victorian swimming pool, which has been shut for more than two years, is set to reopen later this month.

The Health Hydro in Swindon, Wiltshire, will reopen on 19 January following upgrades to its gym, changing rooms and main swimming pool.

The mechanical, electrical and plumbing plant systems have also been upgraded throughout the facility, reducing overall energy consumption in the long term.

Work was originally due to be completed in late 2024 but the discovery of asbestos and structural leaks in the Grade II* listed building delayed the progress.

Repairs to the facade, roof, valley gutters, doors and windows have also been completed to preserve the building's integrity.

LDRS An early black and white picture of the inside of the baths. A number of children in swimming costumes are pictures sitting on benches next to the pool, with many also in the water. — The site may be the oldest, continuously-used Victorian example in the world

Originally known as the Swimming Baths and Dispensary, the extensive health facility was built in 1891 for Great Western Railway (GWR) workers living nearby.

It offered a more holistic approach to care and featured baths and pools, a dispensary and consulting rooms for doctors and dentists.

Restoration plans began in 2018 when Swindon Borough Council commissioned an options appraisal for the future of the listed building.

In partnership with leaseholder GLL, Swindon Heritage Preservation and Historic England, the authority has secured about £8.6m worth of funding.

Beyond the main pool hall, future phases aim to revive the smaller pool area, Turkish baths and dispensary - but this remains dependent on further funding.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky wearing dark blue jeans, a large black belt, a white top and a dark blue blazer. She has long curly grey hair and is wearing glasses, standing on the tiled platform beside the large swimming pool and smiling at the camera. — Councillor Marina Strinkovsky said she "cannot wait" to see the public's reaction to the transformation

Swindon Borough councillor Marina Strinkovsky, cabinet member for planning and placemaking, said the reopening has been a "long time coming".

"There were a lot of people who never thought they would see the inside of the building again," she said.

"So many generations of Swindonians have used this building and learned to swim here while visiting as children. I think its going to be very joyful for a lot of people."

She added the "absolutely gorgeous" building is now fully accessible and hopes it will continue to serve the community for generations to come.

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