![]() Some families chose to wash at the bathhouse rather than bathe at home due to it being cheaper and easier, especially after the war. Many locals learnt how to swim at Harpurhey Baths in the three pools which varied in size, with lessons being held weekly for children. Interestingly, there were 45 slipper baths for the men and only 18 for the women. There was also an abundance of slipper baths - a bath with a high end to lean against - for visitors to bathe in. Harpurhey Baths opened in 1910, in Rochdale Road, and had three swimming pools, wash rooms and a huge laundrette. Harpurhey Baths in 1960 (Image: Manchester Evening News) ![]() Sadly the baths closed their doors for good in the 1980s and demolished. In the 1950s, an indoor bowling green was added. When the baths and washhouse first opened, records show it had three separate swimming pools, over 60 baths and a public laundry area. It was there people remember the pool's terrifying - but much respected - instructor, blowing her whistle and stalking the poolside with a long white pole to fish out any floundering stragglers. Many who used the baths from the 1950s through to when it was closed in the 1980s, remember it as the place where teachers took them every week for swimming lessons. It was a place where people could swim - wash, dry and iron clothes - and even get a hot bath. Bradford Baths in east Manchester was built in 1909 and also referred to as Barmouth Street Baths and Washhouse. Manchester was once home to several bathhouses which benefitted generations of families by offering vital washing facilities and swimming lessons. Heaton Park Paddling Poolīradford Baths on Barmouth Street, Bradford in Manchester. ![]() Love Greater Manchester's past? Sign up to our new nostalgia newsletter and never miss a thing. For a few years, all that remained of Rhyl Sun Centre were fond memories, but in 2019, SC2 - a brand new £15 million water park and adventure centre - opened in Rhyl, offering indoor and outdoor water play for all ages and abilities. Sadly, in 2014, it was announced that the centre would be pulled down to make way for a revamp of Rhyl’s waterfront. Opened in June 1980, it was the largest indoor pool in Europe at the time and thousands of families from Manchester would travel there to enjoy a day out.īack in the '80s and '90s, children would spend hours playing on the famous octopus slide, the monorail cars and in the wave pool - and for adults, there were coin operated sunbeds at the poolside and people were even allowed to smoke. Not in Greater Manchester but for years, school holidays weren’t complete without launching yourself down one of the flumes at Rhyl Sun Centre. ![]() Rhyl Sun Centre in 1989 (Image: Photo © Ronald Searle (cc-by-sa/2.0)) If you think of any other water attractions in or around Greater Manchester that you think should be included, let us know in the comments. Until then, here are seven water parks and pools that Mancunians loved back in the day but are sadly no longer around. It's estimated that the new water park will open in 2025. Visitors can expect thermal pools and spas, as well as swim-up bars, saunas and wellness suites all set within botanical gardens and "living slides" covered in thousands of plants. Thankfully, building work has started on the £250m indoor Therme water park next to the Trafford Centre, which is great news for the next generation of children and their families. Read More: The lost pictures that show how hard life could be in Greater Manchester's slums Read More: From Strictly to shelf stacking in Sainsbury's: What became of Greater Manchester's children's TV stars As well as water parks with their water slides and wave machines, there were also more traditional indoor and outdoor pools that are just as fondly remembered. It was only a couple of generations ago that Mancunians were spoilt-for-choice when it came to having such a place on their doorstep. Sadly, over the years, some of our favourite water attractions in-and-around Greater Manchester have closed and been repurposed or demolished. Is there a better childhood memory than tropical wave pools and water slide splash downs sending chlorinated water gushing up your nose?įor years, water parks and swimming pools have been the places where kids have loved to spend their free time.
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