The pool was privately owned by Mr H S Meek. He originally offered the pool with the attached cafe and putting green on 6,400 square yards of land to the council for £15,000 in October 1934 but this was declined. The venture does not seem to have been a success as the pool advertised reduced opening charges in August 1934.
The pool was the base for the Spiders Web Club. The club became a member of the Amateur Swimming Association in October 1936.
The pool probably closed during 1937 as it was reported to have been in derelict condition when it was offered for sale at auction on 30th May 1938 but it did not make the £5,000 reserve price so was withdrawn. The Bradford Observe described the pool as “The prettiest bathing pool in England” and told its readers that the pool needed a “showman” owner.
In November 1938, the urban district council purchased the Spider’s Web bathing pool, cafe, and land, for £1,510. It had a capitalised value of about £14,000.
By March 1939, the council was considering what they could do to modernize the pool and in April, application was made to the National Fitness Council for a grant.
A grant of £2,500 was offered subject to further consideration of the plans and estimates of cost based on an expenditure of £5,990. The proposed improvements at the pool include new dressing accommodation, footbaths, ozonisation plant, and a heating system.
The pool suffered from subsidence due to costal erosion, a huge problem along this stretch of coats. It was closed in 1980 and filled in in 1982. Part of the original entrance building has been converted to a holiday cottage and an arch can still be seen on the external wall (images below). the owners of the cottage have installed an information board at the end of the garden about the pool.
| Name | Spiders Web Bathing Pool Mulgrave Road, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO21 3JL, England |
| Coordinates | 54°29’36.7″N 0°38’08.3″W |
| Built / opened | 1934 |
| Cost | |
| Dimensions | 125′ x 40′ |
| Capacity | |
| Water type | |
| Depth(s) | 3′ to 8′ |
| Diving | |
| Changing facilities | |
| Second pool | N/A |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | |
| Date closed | 1980 |
| Status | Demolished 1982 |
| On site now | Grass |
| Last updated | 29th August 2025 |
Bradford Observer 31st May 1938
Owner Wanted For Bathing Pool At Whitby
“The prettiest bathing pool In England” is lying more or less derelict at Whitby for the want of a “showman” owner. It might be still derelict this coming holiday season if bids for the property are as few and low as they were when It was offered for auction in Leeds yesterday. The auctioneer, Mr. E. Willis, of Robert Gray and Sons, of Whitby, was putting up for auction the Spider’s Web swimming pool, cafe, and putting green In giving the above description, and suggested a first bid of £5,000. The figure, however, didn’t suit the prospective purchasers, and it was a long time before the first bid of £1,000 was made. Slowly the bidding then progressed to £1,400, when Mr. Willis had to withdraw the property. The property is on the West Cliff and comprises a swimming pool, measuring 125 ft by 40 ft., and fitted with modern equipment, including a chlorinating plant. It is surrounded by gardens and sunbathing promenades, and adjoining there is a café and putting green. The property is freehold, and the total area extends to approximately 6,400 square yards.
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