(Video footage: Northgate Grammar School outdoor pool in 1962)
Former pool attendant Guy Booth writes:
"I now live in SW London currently but still visit Suffolk from time to time.
Your article on ‘lost pools’ brought back all the memories, which are very happy ones that I enjoyed sharing.
I was struck by how many of these places were part of the fabric of my childhood and youth in Ipswich.
"I went to primary school at Clifford Road in East Ipswich in the ’60s / early ’70s.
The school built its small 10m (as I recall) indoor pool while I was there, with some financial contribution from parents I believe.
The school had a stated objective that every child should leave at 11 years old able to swim at least 10m. What a great initiative, thinking back. We had swimming lessons on a Friday, which I looked forward to all week.
"I swam my first mile in that pool in 1972. 161 lengths! It took me about an hour and a half, coached by my patient and encouraging class teacher Mr Jackson, but what a sense of achievement. I still have the beautiful certificate, featuring an ink drawing of the school building, to this day.
I also swam in Pipers Vale, the adults having forgotten to pack my rubber ring! But this omission was fortuitous as I found I could swim without it, probably because of the Friday sessions at Clifford Road pool.
"I then went to Northgate Grammar School. It also had a pool that I believe may have been lost in the redevelopment of the school buildings in the ’80s.)
The outdoor pool was always chilly. One of our neighbours was a teacher there and occasionally he used to invite us for a swim with his children on a summer Sunday during the school holidays.
Even on a hot day, it was still cold! I thought the pool didn’t survive the modernisation, though I think the ‘old gym’ (or the girls’ gym) in front of it did…at least for a while.
"The point of my post is to note that both these pools are gone, as well as many others in Ipswich.
What a sad situation for current generations of youngsters, who are missing out through the lack of ready access to pool facilities and losing all the advantages that swimming bestows in terms of health, fitness, personal fulfilment and safety.
Some things really have gone backwards (school playing fields being another loss).
"Finally, I was a pool attendant at Broomhill during the summer of 1981 and have many happy memories of that time as well as all the visits to this special pool during my youth. I would cycle across town to get there.
Dave Read was the Pool Manager in 1981! A good guy. We came in in early May that year to repaint and prepare the pool for the summer season. I painted all the silver handrails, a very satisfying job I found. Dave (and others, probably) painted the pool bottom and sides with rollers.
I recall he very nearly painted himself into a small square in the middle of the diving pit! We were a happy crew.
"Keep up the good work. Nostalgia aside, I believe Saving Broomhill Pool is an investment for the future not just a heritage project, important though that is.
In this age of increasing mental health disorders, rising obesity levels, and screen fixation, it has never been more important to support fitness, health, wellbeing and enjoying the outdoors.
What an asset Broomhill is, and could be. Save Broomhill Pool!
Guy Booth
The Broomhill Pool Trust, Ipswich
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The Broomhill Pool Trust (Ipswich). Broomhill has been central to summer for many generations.
Broomhill Open Air Swimming Pool was designed by County-Borough of Ipswich engineer E McLauchlan, built at a cost of £17,000, and opened by County-Borough of Ipswich Mayor Underwood on Saturday 30 April 1938.
55 yards x 20 yards and 8 lanes wide, the competition pool was 15ft deep (making it currently the deepest outdoor pool in the country). The last known Wicksteed (of Kettering) diving stage
23/08/2026
The lost pools of Ipswich, and why Broomhill Pool's restoration really matters (UPDATE). Thanks for all the incredible interest and feedback on our Lost Pools of Ipswich feature. Over 50,000 views (32,000 viewers). There will always be one or two anomalies but we have updated and amended the list based on your input.
BROOMHILL POOL STATUS:
Broomhill Pool is one of 20 listed lidos in the U.K. but the only one not saved, restored, or operational.
There are interested operators. The scheme is planning approved. The precedent is there for NLHF to approve a direct bid from Ipswich Borough Council.
We are now at a critical juncture with Ipswich Borough Council (which may cease to exist in 2027 due to local government reform).
The National Lottery Heritage Fund withdrew its £6.8m funding commitment (to lease holder and applicant, Fusion Lifestyle) on 11 July, 2025.
Over a year has passed, yet Ipswich Borough Council has still not secured the return of Broomhill Pool's lease.
Critically, the lease had not been resecured by the time Fusion Lifestyle entered administration (01 April 2026).
IBC has not progressed the existing scheme - or sort new options or operators for the pool - not until the lease and IP (the various studies commissioned by Fusion Lifestyle using NLHF stage 1 pass) is in its possession.
In recent months, The Broomhill Pool Trust, Ipswich and Historic England are supporting IBC with possible Development Funding Grants towards a fresh NLHF bid.
We are working closely in partnership with Ipswich Borough Council, and we welcome all exploration and suggestions for other funding streams to kick-start and deliver the project.
The Trust has been active behind the scenes throughout. As members of Historic Pools of Britain, and Future Lidos, we have a solid network and understanding of potential replacement operators for Broomhill Pool.
We are aware of a number of top operator(s) candidates that are both qualified and interested in restoring and operating Broomhill Pool, PLUS can potentially carry forward the existing [planning approved] scheme.
We have asked them to contact IBC directly to formally enquire and express their interest.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO SUPPORT:
Please continue to support The Broomhill Pool Trust, Ipswich and follow our page and website. Please lobby your MPs, Councillors, or Borough contacts at every opportunity to keep positive pressure and focus
07/08/2026
The lost pools of Ipswich, and why Broomhill Pool's restoration really matters.
14/07/2026
Ipswich is in the running to become City of Culture 2029. Your chance to make sure that Broomhill Pool is not forgotten. Your opportunity to support the pool’s restoration as a flagship of our town's City of Culture bid. Please complete the short questionnaire, back Broomhill and help shape the themes and ambitions of the bid: Community questionnaire https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/76PRTSP
10/07/2026
Our sincere thanks to Ipswich Borough Council Parks Team for the extensive tidy up of the Broomhill Pool site this week. It is essential that this iconic and much loved lido is protected, safe, and secure during this critical period.
The Broomhill Pool Trust (www.broomhillpooltrust.org) will continue its 23 year campaign, to lobby positively and tirelessly (Ipswich Borough Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund) to ensure that the pool project is a top priority, and that the December 2027 planning permission does not lapse without a full restoration solution and schedule in place.
08/07/2026
Spotlight Suffolk: What change should City of Culture bring to Ipswich?
At last night's event with an audience of 200.
Mike Read MBE, King of the Channel and President of the Broomhill Pool Trust received huge applause for this heartfelt appeal.
08/07/2026
Yesterday's IPSWICH STAR: Long lost lido left high and dry as heartwave hits.
Calling on Jack Abbott MP, Neil MacDonald (Leader Ipswich Borough Council), and Ipswich 2029 City of Culture Team. We need an action plan and demonstrable commitment to save our lido. 15 MONTHS TO SAVE BROOMHILL POOL, IPSWICH.
07/07/2026
IPSWICH STAR: Frustration over stalled Broomhill Lido progress in Ipswich.
Pool trust 'frustrated' with lack of progress on outdoor lido restoration Mark Ling, the chairman of a neglected outdoor pool trust in Ipswich has said expressed his frustration that progress on restoring it has stalled.
05/07/2026
The Guardian: Labour MPs call on water firms to save Britain’s lost lidos
"The Group, whose constituencies have derelict or at-risk pools, are campaigning to make outdoor swimming available for all
" a group of 20 MPs, along with the Fabian Society, are calling for this relief to be made accessible for all by getting water companies to fund the reopening of the country’s lost lidos.
"A new report from the thinktank has called on Andy Burnham, who is expected to become the next prime minister, to use the forthcoming water bill to make water companies responsible for funding places for local people to swim, such as lidos.
full report at:
Labour MPs call on water firms to save Britain’s lost lidos Group, whose constituencies have derelict or at-risk pools, are campaigning to make outdoor swimming available for all
18/06/2026
Your chance to make sure that Broomhill Pool is not forgotten in such important discussions. Feel free to attend, and speak up, if there’s a chance to support the pool’s restoration as a flagship of our town's City of Culture bid.
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https://www.facebook.com/UniofSuffolk/posts/pfbid02Qb6Zi4JoVpqFS2i4GG1dptUHxQ8TqxjmVf8TxyDWLtCdUyy82t8CZ2oLo2UnYk3ql?locale=en_GB
University of Suffolk is asking: What lasting change should City of Culture bring to Ipswich? 💛
University of Suffolk asks you to join them on Tuesday 7 July for their next Spotlight Suffolk event, "where we’ll explore how the Ipswich City of Culture 2029 bid could help shape the future of our town.
"Chaired by Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, our panel brings together voices from across culture, heritage and the community: Amy Vaughan, Kath Cockshaw, Marcus Harris-Noble and Dr Amanda H..
"Expect an open conversation around how culture can create opportunities for young people, support wellbeing and drive lasting change across Ipswich.
🔗 Book your free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spotlight-suffolk-what-change-should-city-of-culture-bring-to-ipswich-tickets-1988092887344
"Read the full news story 👉 https://www.uos.ac.uk/about/news/2026/university-to-host-event-to-discuss-how-city-of-culture-bid-can-change-ipswichs-future/
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Location
Category
Address
Broomhill Open Air Swimming Pool, Sherrington Road
Ipswich
IP14HT