Places Features

Tunstall Pool in Stoke-on-Trent is one of the oldest swimming pools in the country that is still regularly used by members of the public.

Altogether there are well over 50 Victorian and Edwardian listed pool buildings in the country but only 14 are still open. The rest have either been closed down or left to rot.

Tunstall Pool still retains many of its original features such as poolside changing cubicles and a viewing gallery. Click on the link below to look at some views of the building...

In August 2008, a very special guest chose to commemorate the pool in a unique way. Dr Ian Dungavell (pictured right), Director of the National Heritage charity - the Victorian Society - swam over 100 lengths as part of his National 1000 Year Swim.

A lap for every year

Dr Dungavell aims to visit each and every one of England's 14 listed Victorian and Edwardian pools and swim a lap for every year they've been standing. He hoped his feat would highlight the importance of historic swimming pools.

Tunstall Pool was opened in 1889 so Dr Dungavell had to swim 119 lengths of the pool. He described the pool as a "significant example of Victorian municipal architecture".

BBC Radio Stoke's Breakfast Show presenter Pete Morgan caught up with Ian ahead of his swim at Tunstall Pool...

Dr Dungavell went on to say: "It [Tunstall Pool] is a shining example of the role that historic pools can play in the twenty-first century. Stoke-on-Trent City Council must be congratulated for keeping Tunstall Pool in use."

Amy Edwards