Leith Victoria Swim Centre Edinburgh
An architectural gem
Found in the very heart of residential Leith, Edinburgh, at the far end of Junction Place, is the Victoria Swim Centre. This apricot-coloured Victorian sandstone building is in the Renaissance style. Boasting two handsome entrance arches, the frontage sports the famous Persevere coat of arms with its ship sailing on a brisk sea.
Inside, the pool is surrounded by an ornate, Baroque, cast-iron colonnade, painted white, which holds up a balcony with equally decorated and fancy railings. On this mezzanine floor, which runs right around the pool, is a viewing area and access to other spaces. The overall, cantilevered glass ceiling lends a light and airy atmosphere to the traditional turquoise pool floor. Changing cubicles are between the columns with showers nearby, and a matching wrought-iron staircase leads upstairs.
This used to be my local, so I have often swum and exercised here. However, the day my bathroom ceiling collapsed was when I discovered there were actual individual baths. They were established following the enactment of the 1846 Act to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths and Wash-houses to improve general public health with access for all classes of citizens. With huge taps and gushing hot water, I thought I had found heaven around the corner.
Sadly, the bathrooms have been removed, but the pool, the dance studio and high-spec gym for fitness and yoga classes, and activities for all ages, plus the Upmo Eat café, are all fully accessible and well worth a visit.
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