Swimming Pools; I have had little luck with these and they fit into the same category as Victorian Cinemas. I am always too late, or there's a ridiculous climb that I can't manage.
During 2022, I managed a solitary Cinema in Liverpool but the number I have failed on is reaching colossal levels. I had little expectations standing outside ‘Levenshulme Pools’. It had been entered recently, by some climbing crew, and I am sadly not a member.
The place stunk of age and post Edwardian style even from a distance. It also looked thoroughly sealed, but this false mirage would not deter us.
Built in 1921 and closed in 2016, I was amused to read this article showing people lying on the street in protest of the inevitable closure.
It’s not going to make any bloody difference, you freaks!
Source
...'not much has changed apart from the the boarding on today's Levenshulme Pools'...
This side of the building appeared well sealed, with ageing 'tin sheeting' to be seen everywhere.
The other side did have some handy wheel bins to climb on to navigate that wall, but as they were already on wheels we thought it unwise to try.
A wall stood in our way, and I distinctly remember one of us getting a minor injury while trying to conquer it. The back yielded a long narrow outdoor alley with what looked like a wooden floor.
Why is there a wooden floor in an outdoor area? It is going to rot and rot it has. This climbing apparatus piqued our interest and @anidiotexplores wasted no time in vaulting up.
"Yes, we can get in", came the muffled notification from above… "…but it’s a dodgy climb”, he added.
I was a little slower but as there were handholds it didn’t pose too much of an issue, and then I saw the dodginess in all its glory. This was a descent into madness; would it even take my weight before collapsing inwards and decapitate me?
@anidiotexplores was already down there so I had little choice. He did tell me to go for the corner where other climbing implements had been placed.
The decent was tentative, I am no longer sixteen years old and every move was calculated with my eardrums listening to every creak, squeak and groan of the abused woodwork I was attempting to circumvent.
It was not as bad as it looked and I breathed a sigh of relief when down, only to look up and know I had to do this all again unless we found an alternative exit point.
Within the bowels of the old swimming pool, I breathed in the familiar stench of decay and rot. It was familiar and recognisable.
After that climb I was in no mood for a swim, so this sign was wasted on the likes of me.
Climbing through rotting roofs is kind of a new form of exercise for me, but as there were no nearby doctors I waived my rights to medical advice. That is what the sign is intended for… right?
While the door on the far left may appear locked, there are always alternative ways through it.
Well yes, I was hardly going down there for a swim. Note the cubicles framing the pool. They used to make them like this deliberately so perverts could peek over the top and ogle at the girls in the adjoining cubicle.
The sauna or it used to be one.
Not so hot in there now.
Was this another way out, another skyward escape route? It looked tougher than our original course, not an option.
It's not a naked mixed sauna, how disappointing.
These types of pools with an increasing depth level, a shallow and deep end appear to be very much out of fashion. Too dangerous, the little kids could drown? Well... only if they go where they are not supposed to.
What could be upstairs, a separate pool for homosexual three-legged dogs? We were about to find out.
It was full of silver cladding, and little else. You couldn’t even mistake it for a grow.
This place has fallen into quick disrepair. Not hard to navigate, but it's only been empty for seven years (at the time of visiting).
So we were not the first ones in here, some wankers beat us to it.
Serco seems to get their fingers in all kinds of pies.
It doesn’t matter anymore, there’s nothing at all of interest or value in the confidential office.
Unfortunately, there is no exit for us. We would likely be leaving the same way this dude was, the one sitting on the edge of the board.
The most interesting room in the entire building and it’s bolted tight. What’s in there? Likely the skeletal remains of the last orgy group who entered for some serious debauchery.
Is there any point in smashing those small windows in the doors, I don't get it.
I can guarantee there’s been some shagging going on in those cubicles throughout the decades, close to the pool or not.
Deep ends were great, you could dive. Does anyone know how to anymore?
There might have been more to 'Levenshulme Pools' but I could not find any trace of weights or a gym.
It’s not a tilted photograph; the rusted cabinet was resting at an odd angle. Not a single old time sheet to be seen.
This is where it happens, the office meeting area with the finest of seats and no privacy whatsoever.
Some doors are simply not meant to be attached to walls. I was sensing a little deja-vu?
It was time to leave and this was our provided climbing aid. It does look suspiciously like the one on the outer wall. Those BOGOFF sales do help the explorer on a budget.
@anidiotexplores was already on the roof taunting me with screwed-up faces. Again, the climb was not such a big deal; the quavering beams were.
It’s not a particularly great landing spot. Too close to the wall and you fall down the pit, jump too far and you scrape the wall. It had to be just right.
Hopefully not all of the outside alley floor was made of rotting wood.
‘Levenshulme Pools’ was quite the adventure. A dangerous climb followed by a shoddy interior. What else would you want?
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The opening shots with the angry sky are just corkers! Nice fiddling :-)
There is nothing that screams Victorian more than green tiles! In my old age, my appreciation of Victorian architecture seems to be increasing. I love the seemingly deliberate juxtaposition of stoicism and ostentatiousness. The symmetry and geometry also appeal to my OCD!
Levenshulme is possibly the most Manc name after Manchester itself. Like something straight out of a JB Priestly play, if he had been born on the wrong side of the Pennines!
Hope you're well, try not to fall down any holes, you're getting a bit old for this lark ;-)
Some luck with the weather, I prefer blue sky days but almost pissing down ones tend to come in handy for the 'angry look' :)
Not even Edwardian, but this was just post WW1 and so things had not progressed much I suppose. I did check the word 'Georgian' as George V would have been king in 1921 but that's another ancient era. Post-Edwardian would have to suffice.
I am, and in the winter months I tend to get lazy, fatter and do little exercise. Come March I will be out again and the body is in for a shock. Sheffield trip planned in around a month. Can't wait to get out again.
Those cubicles take me back. There was a swimming near me when growing up that was in exactly that format.
That climb in and out looked awful!
Yes, it's the old Victorian style. I remember them when small, but then a new pool was built, closer and that became my new haunt. There's likely none left now in a working state.
The climb? fun...!
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After all the effort of climbing the external wall, and after that you get a "not a naked mixed sauna", I totally agree with you: "how disappointing"
Thank you for sharing one more of your adventure!
That climb of the wall it is not for who is in "bad physical" shame like me!
The climbing wasn't so bad, I always feel exhausted after doing it, but it is good exercise so long as I am not in danger (this is often the case).
Mixed Sauna's, do the exist anymore?.. probably not.. even the clothed type.
Well, I can say that for a old fart like me, that I was born in 78, I never seen one in my country ever... But Portugal it's a corner of very puritanical customs... And only in recent years has it freed itself from some taboos. But that one will never fall.
I'm really shocked someone hasn't kicked that door in. It seems the sort of thing they would do. At the very least so they can try to burn it.
Doors tend to get sealed quickly by the local councils. I mean within a couple of days, you have to be quick and lucky. Too many arseholes exploring (vandalising) in todays world.
Yeah, but interior doors like that too? I mean why have everything else pretty much wide open but one interior door that is inaccessible. I'm surprised someone didn't rectify that.
This place is really amazing and despite the risk it was worth going in... it's amazing that there are places like this that have been abandoned for so long. I wonder if it's worth it for any big investor with many millions to recover it and put it back into operation. But at least it's still standing for a good urban exploration. Poor pool, now it's left alone with all the secrets that its corridors hold! Thanks for sharing :-)
There are many more to be found, most of them sealed to the eyeballs. Every now and again, I get a chance to peek inside. The window of opportunity is short, and it's a question of luck whether we can get in.
I am not sure I could manage those acrobatics to get in and out like you did. That seemed pretty hairy to me. Now, the sauna is something that would have been interesting in its day, although I am curious about the NO SHAVING sign myself. Although it might have been a boring explore for you, it was a daring entry and exit.
It was peculiar, shaving in public.. and in the sauna? I guess it must have happened at some point and there was an objection!
What an adventure! That building keeps a secret of a very long history 😍
!BBH
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More than 50% of business fail within the first few years after starting
This one did manage almost 100 years,so probably not in that category.
Wow,that was an incredible adventure!Your description of exploring the Levenshulme Pools is gripping,and the photos perfectly capture the atmosphere of decay and intrigue.I especially loved the detail about the dodgy climb and the suspense of wondering if the wood would hold your weight – I could practically feel the adrenaline!
Yeah me too..., 'are you out of your mind'.., came the inner response.
You're right,I probably am.But it was a fantastic kind of crazy.
For as long as it looks to have been abandoned, I am surprised there is no graffiti on the walls. Thank you for sharing, I really enjoyed your photos and commentary.
It's a little tougher than average to get in. The artists tend to pick easier spots. The have their tools to fetch as well.
Great adventure for sure
Wow
This place looks like an abandoned factory
It can be revived though
Nice adventure!
homosexual three legged dogs!!
😉😀😎🤙
yea! man, what a scary/dodgey place..