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Victoria Baths in Manchester, a heritage site and visitor attraction, has announced plans to restore the on-site Turkish Baths and re-open them to the public.
History
The building, which celebrates the nation’s swimming history, is currently open for public tours on Wednesdays as well as the first Sunday of each month. It also hosts a number of contemporary art and sporting events throughout the year.
Victoria Baths opened its doors to the public in 1906, providing spacious facilities for swimming, bathing and leisure. Today visitors can still see the terracotta, decorative stained glass, tiles and mosaics inside.
Manchester City Council closed the baths in 1993, and since then, the Friends of Victoria Baths and the Victoria Baths Trust have been campaigning to save the building and to re-open the Turkish Baths and at least one of the pools.
And now plans have been confirmed to restore the Turkish Baths and re-open them to the public, with a modern health suite for spa treatments.
There are also plans to restore the old superintendent's flat into rental accommodation for those looking to book a longer stay in the future. Dates for the reopening are yet to be confirmed.
Group booking information
Groups are welcome at Victoria Baths outside of the set opening times for the public. GTOs can arrange a guided tour for parties of eight or more between Mondays and Fridays from April to October.
Groups taking the Discover Victoria Baths guided tour will be led by an experienced guide, and learn about the Baths’ architecture and history, as well as well as plans for the future of the site.
The tour also covers how the Baths was used, including the memories of its bathers, and the BBC Restoration win in 2003 and how the money was spent.
Refreshments including soup and sandwiches can be arranged, and coach parking is available outside the front entrance. GTOS should call 0161-224 2020 to make a booking.
For further information visit www.victoriabaths.org.uk.
