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Bedford
Newnham Bridge Swimming Baths

Places > Bedford > Sport > Swimming Pools > Newnham Bridge

Once the property of the monks of Newnham Priory, the mill pool was developed into a swimming pool and opened to the public in 1896. The swimming pool was extensively improved in the 1930s and then again between 1959-60 when the cost of the improvements was 59,000. There was a grand opening gala on Saturday 18th June 1960 with the admission charges for the pool being mornings adults one shilling and scholars six pence; 2.00-7.00pm adults one shilling and sixpence, scholars nine pence.

In 1981 the swimming had made a loss of 50,000 for the year and Bedford Borough Council decided to close the pool in October 1981. The pool never opened again and Aspects Leisure Centre was built on the site, opening in 1990.

Sources

  • The Newspaper Cuttings Collection, Local Studies Library, Bedford Central Library

Newnham Bridge Swimming Baths, Bedford, by Bedfordshire Libraries, 2012

Page last updated: 22nd January 2014