Peter Stewart

Well, I've been given a very special, almost unique invitation to go and see underneath Pool House on Bancroft Road. Why is Pool House called Pool House? Because it's built on the site of the old swimming pool, the outdoor swimming pool. Some say Lido. And it's very unusual to be able to go and see the footings, the foundations, what is underneath there, and the origins of...

Well, I've been given a very special, almost unique invitation to go and see underneath Pool House on Bancroft Road. Why is Pool House called Pool House? Because it's built on the site of the old swimming pool, the outdoor swimming pool. Some say Lido. And it's very unusual to be able to go and see the footings, the foundations, what is underneath there, and the origins of...

the swimming pool and Bancroft Road. I'm really genuinely excited about this, really looking forward to it. It might be, I don't know, is it going to be a bit chilly underneath there? It might be. I've got a jacket with me. First of all, I've got to go and buy a ticket.

the swimming pool and Bancroft Road. I'm really genuinely excited about this, really looking forward to it. It might be, I don't know, is it going to be a bit chilly underneath there? It might be. I've got a jacket with me. First of all, I've got to go and buy a ticket.

It's a good sound effect, isn't it? A squeaky gate. And then round the back, kind of separate from the main building, there's some white wooden doors in a kind of brick shelter. I see.

It's a good sound effect, isn't it? A squeaky gate. And then round the back, kind of separate from the main building, there's some white wooden doors in a kind of brick shelter. I see.

So it's a long kind of spiral ramp. If you imagine kind of a mini ramp, as though you're coming out of the belfry. It's a little bit like that.

So it's a long kind of spiral ramp. If you imagine kind of a mini ramp, as though you're coming out of the belfry. It's a little bit like that.

It's huge. I'm really surprised how much there is here.

It's huge. I'm really surprised how much there is here.

And it's remarkably dry down here, ironically, isn't it?

And it's remarkably dry down here, ironically, isn't it?

Yes.

Yes.

Of course, we're kind of underwater now, aren't we, as we stand, as it were. Yes. But also in the grounds, there would have been that tea shop, there would have been perhaps changing rooms, toilet facilities.

Of course, we're kind of underwater now, aren't we, as we stand, as it were. Yes. But also in the grounds, there would have been that tea shop, there would have been perhaps changing rooms, toilet facilities.

And I understand also that it was quite shaded, wasn't it, which may have been nice in the summer, but also could have been cold, it could have been chilly.

And I understand also that it was quite shaded, wasn't it, which may have been nice in the summer, but also could have been cold, it could have been chilly.

Yeah, and leaf and mulch and so on perhaps going into the water. How many people would have perhaps come? How many people would be able to kind of fit in, if you like?

Yeah, and leaf and mulch and so on perhaps going into the water. How many people would have perhaps come? How many people would be able to kind of fit in, if you like?