A new pool was built in the Wiltshire town of Devizes as the existing bathing place, an enclosure of part of the Kennet and Avon Canal, was becoming a hygiene and safety concern.
Edward Colston, 2nd Baron Roundway and a Brigadier-General in the British Army, donated land to the north of the town and close to the old bathing place. Thus, the cost of creating the new pool was just £3,500 for a substantial building a good-sized pool.
The land was gifted with a covenant as follows…
“The land was to be used by the people of Devizes, for use as a Swimming Pool, and for no other purpose whatsoever.”
The pool measured 100’ x 35’ and held 120,000 gallons of water.
Lord Roundway served as a Zone Commander in the Wiltshire Hone Guard during WWII when the pool was used for various activities including a Red Cross Centre, vaccination centre, first aid post and gas cleansing centre.
The diving boards were removed in 1966 as they were deemed unsafe. Heating was installed in 1969.
The pool closed in September 1989. Looking at the aerial photograph, it appears to be in very good condition unlike a lot of contemporary pools that were badly maintained.
When it ceased to be used as a Swimming Pool, the ownership reverted to the beneficiaries of Lord Roundway’s Estate, being the Society of The Merchant Venturers.
| Name | Devizes Open Air Swimming Pool Colston Road, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 2BT, England |
| Coordinates | 51°21’20.9″N 1°59’58.4″W |
| Built / opened | 18th July 1936 by Brig. Gen. the Rt. Hon. Lord Roundway |
| Cost | £3,500 (land donated by Lord Roundway) Filtration plant £664 |
| Dimensions | 100′ x 35′ |
| Capacity | 120,000 gallons |
| Water type | Chlorinated freshwater |
| Depth(s) | 3′ to 8′ 6″ |
| Diving | Diving stage, three graded boards at varying heights and a 1 metre springboard Removed in 1966 as unsafe |
| Changing facilities | 34 cubicles over two dressing rooms & clothes containers per cubicle |
| Second pool | Paddling pool appears to have been added at a later date |
| Spectator seating | Tiered concree stand along one length |
| Designer | Mr. A. W. Jakeway, M.Inst.M. and Cy.E., Borough Surveyor Contractor – L. Maslen and Sons Ltd of Devizes |
| Date closed | September 1989 |
| Status | Demolished |
| On site now | Housing |
| Last updated | 10th December 2025 |
Baths and Bath Engineering, November 1936
Devizes Open-air Swimming Pool.
A much-needed public service was provided when Brig. Gen. the Rt. Hon. Lord Roundway formally opened the Devizes swimming pool in July last. The question of improved swimming facilities had for some years been under the consideration of the council. The old bathing place was an enclosed portion of the Kennet and Avon Canal, and complaints of the unsatisfactory condition of the water were constantly being received. Several sites were considered, and the one adopted was given for the purpose by Lord Roundway.
The pool, which has a capacity of 120,000 gal. of water, is constructed in reinforced concrete and is rectangular in shape, measuring 100 ft. by 35 ft.: the depth increases from 3 ft. to 8 ft. 6 in. A diving stage consisting of three graded boards at varying heights and a 1 metre springboard have been provided.
Purification of Water
The water in the pool is drawn from the deep end by means of a Worthington – Simpson centrifugal pumping unit, delivering 15,000 gal. of water per hour into two vertical pressure filters working at the rate of 195 gal. per sq. It. per hour, and the whole contents of the pool is circulated every eight hours. Before the water is returned through the cascade and into the pool at the shallow end, it is sterilised by means of injections of ammonia and chlorine, in gas form. The filtration and purification plant was installed by United Filters and Engineering Ltd., of London.
General
The administration buildings, which are of brick and rendered in Cullamix, contain attendant’s office, refreshment bar, filter house and dressing rooms, with 17 cubicles for each sex. There are seven numbered clothes containers to each cubicle. The dressing rooms include lavatory accommodation and showers, and bathers pass through a footbath before entering the pool. The contractors were L. Maslen and Sons Ltd of Devizes. The borough surveyor, Mr. A. W. Jakeway, M.Inst.M. and Cy.E., was responsible for the design and carrying out of the scheme which cost £3,500.
