What people have been saying about the 1000 year swim challenge
The 1000 year swim challenge has really captured people’s imagination. Wherever I have swum, local people have thought it a great idea, and local media have turned out to cover...
Why the 1000 year swim?
Heritage swimming pools offer people a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in living history. With only 14 out of more than 50 listed Victorian and Edwardian pools still open for...
When? It’s all over!
Ian began his challenge, which amounted to a total of 1543 lengths or just over 22 miles, at Bramley Baths in West Yorkshire on Thursday 24 July 2008. Over the...
St Luke’s pool, Brighton
Many schools in the early 20th century had their own swimming pools, but this is the first one I’ve been in. The poor physical state of the nation’s young men...
Queensbury pool, Bradford
Like much else in Queensbury, the baths were given by the local mill owners, the Foster family, whose firm is very much in business still today. Victoria Hall, Queensbury Sand...
Manningham baths, Bradford
This is the most exceptional of the baths I have visted so far. Not because it has elaborate decoration, stained glass and very high quality finishes. It doesn’t. Its interest...
Health Hydro, Swindon
What an amazing thing the Swindon Health Hydro is. And it’s a hidden gem: passing it on Faringdon Road you get no sense that the building is open, and it...
Batley baths
Batley is a beautiful town and Batley baths, designed by local architect Walter Hanstock, are a most suitable adornment to it. Cambridge Street, Batley, West Yorkshire. Opened 1893. Listed Grade...
Bramley baths, Leeds
Well, this was a great start to the 1000 year swim! There has been so much interest in the event from national and local media, and people are keen to...