An influx of visitors to open water spaces during the Covid pandemic also called for much awareness to be raised about the dangers of cold water shock. In the early 20th century, outdoor swimming was one of the most popular past times and at its peak, there were more than 300 active public outdoor pools. Thanks to the development of the railway in the 1830s and 1840s, many Northern towns became popular holiday destinations and seaside resorts - and South Cumbria was no exception.
According to Cumbria Archives, there were plans for an outdoor pool in Ulverston as early as 1908. This was intended for only men and boys however, sadly, it was never built. Back in the day, Barrow had the most swimming facilities of all the towns in Cumbria and three were built at different times just within a few hundred yards of each other on Abbey Road.
Barrow ASC is the oldest swimming club in Cumbria and fascinating images in our gallery show just how many people had fun at Walney Island open-air baths. The lido-style venue was opened in a downpour during June 1931 and at the end of the Second World War, even hosted a contest to find Miss Barrow. It was closed in 1965 after harmful bacteria was found in the water and was demolished a couple of years later.
A year after the Biggar Bank baths were constructed, one of the most famous lidos in the country was built which still remains, in a form, today - Grange Lido. Accessed off the promenade, the Grange-over-Sands Lido was constructed in 1932 as.
