Devizes Bathing Place on the Kennet and Avon Canal

The idea of setting up a dedicated bathing area in the Kennet and Avon Canal first cropped up in print in 1860. An anonymous correspondent, ‘Divisiensis’, wrote a letter to the Devizes Gazette and the Wiltshire Independent on 17th May 1860, as follows:

“Sir, Every Russian soldier learns to swim. Every English volunteer ought to swim. Nay more; every English boy ought to swim; and there is no reason why Devizes boys should be behind their neighbours in any valuable personal qualification. When the dog-days set in, the remark has often been made in this town, ‘Why are no swimming baths attached to the canal?’ I think there can be little doubt that such an establishment would easily support itself, and that the numerous schools in the town would appreciate the advantage. Let the bath be covered or not, this is comparatively immaterial; but let it be at least 150 feet in length, and vary in depth of water from four feet to six feet. In the matter of dressing-rooms, and other details, the river bath at the back of Percy Place, at the east end of the city of Bath, might serve as a model. It should be as near to Devizes as possible, in order to save the expense of a person residing on the spot, with no other occupation.”

[Thanks to Ali Cannon for spotting this letter.]

Despite the enthusiasm of this suggestion, swimming in the canal was a valid cause for concern on safety grounds, and was doubtless considered a nuisance by boat traffic. It was frequently forbidden by owners.

1867 - a renewed proposal for a bathing place on the canal

A further proposal was published in the Devizes and Wilts Advertiser on 22 August 1867. This provides us with a more detailed description of a possible Bathing Place on the canal:

Public Baths for Devizes - To the Editor of the Devizes Advertiser

Sir,—The second death this year from drowning whilst bathing in our Canal, has occurred during the last few days. It is high time that steps should be taken to prevent, if possible, another such an occurrence. It is very well for the proprietors of the Canal to put up a notice on the bridges, &c., threatening a fine if any person should be found bathing; but any one who walks up the Canal side on any summer evening will see many who utterly disregard it. Another thing they would notice is the entire absence of drags, life buoys, or any other apparatus for saving life in the event of an accident, for I know of but one drag within several miles of the town of Devizes. I would recommend the Local Board of Health to provide swimming baths near the town, with appliances to help beginners and save those who might be in danger. One of the 'pounds' would be admirably adapted for the purpose (if arrangements could be made with the proprietors of the canal for its use), and for a small outlay could be made private, and dressing rooms attached. Devizes is a borough town of some importance, and strangers often say, "I wonder with all your facilities there are no swimming baths." No doubt if subscription lists were opened, many would gladly subscribe for such a good and necessary object, if the Local Board did not see their way to provigde the necessary funds. Yearly tickets at a fixed sum would entitle holders to bathe at any time, or on a varying scale, at different times of the day, - and once started, I firmly believe the Baths would soon pay of themselves, and would be a great boon to all classes. I remain, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Aqua. Devizes, 21st August, 1867.

1870 - a further proposal for an area in the canal

A particular supporter of the scheme to create a dedicated area in the canal was Mr Charles Clarke, who was in the habit of walking to the railway bridge below Foxhangers to swim. In 1870 he took it upon himself to contact the GWR and negotiate the use of an area of canal.

The Wiltshire Independent reported on the 14th of April 1870 that although the idea had been getting nowhere fast, largely due to the apathy, or lack of sympathy, of the owners of the canal, now, thanks to Mr Clarke, they were finally in a position to proceed.

1877 - objections continued elsewhere

On 25 June 1877, the Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle printed the story of a man named William Williams was fined for swimming in the Wilts and Berks canal near Swindon without permission. During the proceedings, Reverend Mold said that there were swimming baths where people could bathe for a penny. William's reply was that the water in the swimming baths was only changed once a week, and that swimming in the canal was preferable.

The GWR approved the plan

The GWR agreed to provide an area about 150 feet by 50 feet on the north bank of the canal between Trust Lock (lock 48) and Maton Lock (lock 49). This is just east of the Black Horse pub, near St Peter’s Church. The committee would rent this site for £5 per annum. They would clear the pound of mud, which was then at a depth of 15 to 18 inches. A boundary would be constructed using corrugated iron, standing about 8 feet higher than water level, and the area below the waterline was to be made of wire netting, allowing free flow of water (and plenty of wildlife, of course!) One end of the area would be floored and covered over to create changing rooms. It was proposed to use railway ballast to line the bottom, over the clay puddling, to make it safer for non-swimmers.

The cost of the scheme was estimated as at least £200. To pay for this it was proposed to form a company and sell 10 shilling and 20 shilling shares, in return for which the shareholders could swim there without charge. Ongoing costs would be met by charging non-shareholders for single sessions, weekly or monthly tickets. A Committee was formed to manage the scheme, with the Mayor, Dr Clapham, at its head.

1878 - the bathing place opened

The bathing place was eventually opened by 1878. (W.R.O. 844, Corp. Mins. 1875–82, 15 March 1878).

Trouble at the bathing place

On 21st June 1883 the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette reported that Alderman Reynolds had announced to the Bathing Place Committee that persons unknown were “committing nuisances in contravention of the Bye-Laws”, in the evenings, when entry to the Bathing Place was free. One assumes from the ensuing discussion that he was referring to men defecating in the pool. He proposed stationing a plain clothes policeman there to catch the offenders. The committee members discussed how the bathing place was cleaned, and it was explained that as a considerable number of boats passed through the adjacent lock, so water flushed through frequently. The committee concluded that now that the matter had now been publicised, this would probably deter the offenders.

On 27th September 1883 the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette reported that at a meeting of the Urban Sanitary Committee Mr Gillman noted that a number of broken bottles had been thrown into the bathing place, and that several bathers had cut their feet as a result. Mr Reynolds promised to look into the matter.

1884 - Proposed New Swimming Baths

The success of the bathing place increased calls for a swimming bath, and on 7 August 1884, the Devizes and Wilts Advertiser published the outcome of a Council meeting to discuss the matter. It began with the matter of repairs to the Bathing Place:

The Bathing Place: The Council approved of the action taken by the Bathing Place Committee in having the woodwork of the Bathing Place repaired and other work executed by Mr Romain at a cost of not more than £20.

The article continued:

Proposed New Swimming Baths.—The next business was "to consider the question of the desirability of providing additional accommodation under "the Baths and Wash-houses Act." The Mayor said he had ventured to bring this subject before the notice of the Authority, principally on account of the great success which had attended the Bathing Place in the Canal, which had been much appreciated and had proved most useful in affording the means for the instruction of youths in that valuable accomplishment, swimming.

Seeing, however, that it was only a temporary wooden structure, bottomed with asphalte, and required a considerable expenditure annually to keep it in repair, he ventured to suggest whether, as a public body having charge of the ssanitary condition of the town, they would not be justified in exercising the borrowing powers conferred upon them by the Baths and Wash-houses Act, in order to provide upon some site to be selected - on their own ground, he presumed - a permanent building for baths (with accommodation for males and females) as well as a swimming bath. Great facilities were proved for that purpose in the Act. The present bathing place, although very useful in its way, was by no means all that could be desired, and he did not think many of those present would care to use it very often; nevertheless, the promoters of it were to be congratulated on the way in which it had been appreciated by the public, proving that it supplied a real want. It had been found necessary, however, to prohibit the use of soap there; whereas there were many men who preferred to bathe in private and use soap.

[...] Mr Simpson expressed his gratification at the Mayor having brought this matter forward, because he always had considered such a place very much neeed in thde town. In fact, when the present bathing place was first established, he suggested that what the Mayor had now spoken of should be adopted, in preference to carrying out what must always be a dirty place (even doing the best they could with it). Although he gave every credit to the gentlemen who constructed it, for so far endeavouring to meet a want which was at that time very much felt, he could not help thinking that the large sum of money which had been expended upon it - some hundreds of pounds - would have gone a considerable way towards building a place which would be a benefit not only to the male portion of the community, but also to females. Agreeing, as he did, with what had fallen from Mayor, he should propose that a committee be appointed with a view to ascertain the probable cost of erecting public baths, and the selection of a suitable site.

[...] Mr Mead enquired if the existing bathing place would be abolished. The Mayor said that would be a matter for future consideration.

The proposed Swimming Baths were not built in Devizes for many years.

1886 - on the map

1889 - another drowning

On July 4th 1889 the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette reported the death by drowning, at the bathing place, of a militiaman, Private Butcher, despite the efforts of the manager, Mr Daniel G Carr, to save him.

1890 - women welcome

Opening was extended to women in 1890. On 17th July 1890 there was an advertisement in the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette as follows:

Devizes Bathing Place
The Urban Sanitary Authority give notice that the Swimming Bath at the Devizes Bathing Place is now ready for the use of Ladies with a female attendant on the following days and times, viz.:-
Mondays, 6 to 9 am
Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, 11 to 1 and 2 to 4 pm
Wednesdays, 4 to 6 pm

Devizes Swimming Club

Devizes Swimming Club was formed at the Bathing Place in June 1896. You can read some history of the early days and the experience of swimming at the bathing place on their website - click below:

Our Story | Devizes Amateur Swimming Club

Devizes ASC

Swimming soldiers

In December 1911, when attending Marlborough College, Charles Hamilton Sorley visited Devizes Barracks for an oral examination. Sorley wrote,

After lunch we went over the barracks. I had thought that a Tommy’s life was one of comparative hardship. But at Devizes I was disillusioned. They are fed twice as well as we are at Marlborough - bacon every morning for breakfast, and eggs for tea and as much butter and jam as they like […] They have two soccer grounds one quite level and a bathing place in the canal. So I should not think they have much to complain of.

(From ‘The Collected Letters of Charles Hamilton Sorley’).

During the war soldiers continued to use the Bathing Place.

1936 - the opening of Devizes Swimming Pool

By 1933, concerns were beeing raised as to the cleanliness and safety of the water at the Bathing Place. Nevertheless, it continued in use until 1936, when a new 100 x 35 feet pool was opened on a site at Rotherstone. The Western Daily Press reported on July 20th 1936:

Devizes Swimming Pool Opened – One of the most up to date in the West.
Brigadier General Lord Roundway opened the new swimming pool at Devizes. The pool which is provided on a site in Rotherstone Gardens, given by Lord Roundway, fulfils a long-felt want, the old baths, which consisted of a fenced portion of the Kennet and Avon Canal having been the subject of many complaints for the last few years. The new pool cost £3,500 and is considered one of the most up to date in the West of England. Every form of modern equipment is provided, and the whole scheme carried out according to the regulations of the Ministry of Health.

The end of the Bathing Place

By the 1950s large sections of the Kennet and Avon Canal had been closed and the complete closure of the canal was threatened. The abandoned bathing place was visible until at least 1961, but it was unusable and eventually dismantled.