| Moseley Road | ||
 |
||
|
Moseley
Road Baths in Birmingham might be the last Edwardian pool still
open to the public in the UK. There are two pools, which used to
be for men and women but now have less clear-cut uses. The pools
are lined with original tile and are surrounded by changing cabins.
Large windows let in masses of light.
You can no longer buy a session in a bathtub at Moseley Road, although the cubicles still boast tubs with oversized taps. The windows in this amazing building have been broken and poorly repaired. Trash has become impaled upon the incredible terracotta exterior. The place is neglected and there are no plans for rescue, as there are with the visionary Victoria Baths project in Manchester. I expect that it's only a matter of time until this building is converted into luxury flats, or something equally as pointless. In the meantime swimming here feels like a holy and endangered activity. Here's a little film that shows the baths, inside and out (.mov, 6.8mb) |
  |
|