Strictly speaking this entry should be for the Ladies Open Air Baths but I am including information for the adjacent and earlier mens pool that is now filled in.
The pool was used by a local sub-aqua club in the 1990’s which probably prevented an early demolition. It nearly became an hotel in 2009 before the council changed their mind and gave a local group the opportunity to work up a proposal for refurbishment.
Works to the derelict pool began in 2015 and it was eventually re-opened in 2017 albeit as a different type of facility.
| Name | Kings Meadow Bath aka Thames Lido Napier Rd, Reading RG1 8FR |
| Built / opened | Mens pool opened 1879 Ladies pool opened1902 by Mayoress Mrs Holland Bull |
| Cost | £4,890 |
| Dimensions | Mens pool 260′ x 80′ Ladies pool 120′ x 45′ |
| Capacity | |
| Water type | Originally fed from adjacent River Thames but changed to mains in the 1950’s |
| Depth(s) | 3′ to 6′ |
| Diving boards | |
| Changing facilities | |
| Second pool | N/A |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | John Bowen, Borough Engineer and Surveyor |
| Date closed | Mens pool circa 1955 Ladies pool 1974, re-opened 2017 |
| Status | Open |
| On site now | The pool |
| Notes | Listed 25th August 2004 |
| Links | Thames Lido – An urban retreat located in Reading Thames Lido | Award Winning Oasis in Reading (youtube.com) Kings Meadow swimming pool open day 2008 (youtube.com) |
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