Forum Topic

Ealing Swimming Baths

Afternoon all!I've been told that there were swimming baths in Ealing Broadway, opposite the (what was the) cinema and where now stands Perceval House - I have a picture but not a clue how to upload it to this most primitive of sites (I can email it over if anyone knows how to upload).Anyone else aware of these swimming baths ?

Bud Richards ● 4203d19 Comments

There were also slipper baths in Clifden Road Brentford.

Nigel Brooks ● 4181d

I used the Slipper baths there as a kid. I also seem to remember there being another public slipper bath place in South Ealing but I'm not 100% about that.

Martin Geraghty ● 4181d

Crickey, I remember Kennings Car Mart - bought one of the last-to-be-made Morris Travellers there - and next door was Southern Electricity where we bought our first upright fridge-freezer on the never-never! Happy days.

Gerry Tan ● 4188d

I worked at Kenning Car Mart as an apprentice (1968-73) and remember colleages using the pool at lunchtime. Kennings (and the Elec.Board showrooms) stood on the Perceval Hse site.

Derek Hooper ● 4189d

It was not only the loss of 4 pools in the heart of Ealing but also the loss of one of the largest badminton centres in West London at the time - a great pity the courts were amazing and catered for beginers to international level

Simon Swinn ● 4197d

It would have been great if Longfield Swimming Pool had been rebuilt in the same central location - Gurnell is a bit out-of-the-way for a quick splash in the summer. Its a bit of a trek to go to the Gurnell pool by bus if one doesn't have wheels. I suppose we can't have everything we wish.

Gerry Tan ● 4197d

Yes I miss that pool. The then leader of the council on my doorstep said a new pool wold be built on that site.Ho Hum

George Knox ● 4198d

Ah, Longfield Baths.  How I miss you.That's where Grange Junior School took us for swimming lessons and that's where I had my lightbulb aquatic moment and finally took my foot off the floor of the baths and swam.  What a moment!It was right behind the Town Hall, just about where the edge of Apsley House now stands.  Location was perfect, even if the baths were a bit grotty.  Problem with Gurnell is where it is sited.  If you want a quick swim, Gurnell is out unless you have a car, I think.

Allison Franklin ● 4198d

We used to take our children when they were very young for swimming lessons behind the Town Hall circa late 60s and 70s before Gurnell Pool was built in early 1980s. It was a smallish pool and rather rundown then just before the new and much larger and modern Gurnell pool was built.

Gerry Tan ● 4199d

I learnt to swim there too and went every Friday in my 6th form years at Ellen Wilkinson. 1st and 2nd class pools. Both a bit grotty I seem to remember!!

Charlotte Carotenuto ● 4200d

Learnt to swim at Longfield baths but I don't have such horrible memories of it as Nigel.

Penny Crocker ● 4200d

Just looked...it is not in Quadrophenia, that was the one at Porchester Hall

Keith Iddon ● 4203d

Thanks Keith

Bud Richards ● 4203d

A 'slipper bath' is a Victorian term for a public wash house. There were large cubicles with lovely deep baths in them, plenty of beautiful tile work and wood everywhere and the water was turned on by an attendant outside. I think the one in Ealing is featured in the film Quadrophenia.

Keith Iddon ● 4203d

Slipper Baths ?Not a term I'm familiar with....

Bud Richards ● 4203d

There used to be a public bath house( slipper baths) there which I sometimes used when I lived in an old house on Oxford Rd that had no hot water circa 1977/8

Keith Iddon ● 4203d

Thanks guys - when did it close then ? Was it in line with Gurnell Pool opening ?

Bud Richards ● 4203d

Longfield Baths. Directly behind the Town Hall.Used to go there every week for 'swimming lessons' given by a sadist of around 60 in a hooped one piece swimming costume who used his 'rescue hook' to hold those he thought were not trying hard enough  UNDER the water. No wonder I never learned to swim there.It also stank of chlorine and the avenue to the pool was routinely full of 'unsavoury' types, ostensibly using the slipper baths, who would 'watch' the youngsters as they left. Imagine 'Uncle Ernie' from Tommy and you get the picture.Horrible place.

Nigel Brooks ● 4203d

Yup 3d to get in just behind Ealing Town hall.

Tony Maxey ● 4203d