This short-lived pool was designed, built and owned by Mr. F. W. Rogers, of Rogers Bros., builders, and contractors, of Felixstowe. The adjacent club was an existing building that had previously been an hotel built by Colonel Tomline. He had hoped to make the area into a seaside development similar to Eastbourne or Brighton but this was not a success and he eventually converted the building to his private residence.
The pool was closed WWI and never re-opened. It was damaged during floods of 1953 and was then filled in. The building was used as headquarters for the caravan park until it was eventually demolished in 2013.
| Name | Manor House Open Air Sea Water Swimming Pool Manor Terrace, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 2EL, England |
| Built / opened | 13th July 1935 by Mr. W. Ross Taylor, C.B.E., M.P |
| Cost | |
| Dimensions | 146′ 8″ x 50′ |
| Capacity | |
| Water type | Sea water, filtered and chlorinated |
| Depth(s) | 3′ to 10′ |
| Diving | Springboards, 1m and 3m. Fixed boards, 3m and 5m. |
| Changing facilities | Tweo dressing rooms, showers and facilities for valuables |
| Second pool | N/A |
| Spectator seating | Raised terraces for spectators and sunbathers |
| Designer | Owned, designed and built by Rogers Bros., builders, and contractors, of Felixstowe |
| Date closed | c1940 |
| Status | Demolished |
| On site now | Suffolk Sands Holiday Park |
| Last updated | 5th July 2025 |
Baths and Bath Engineering, November 1935
Manor House Open Air Sea Water Swimming Pool, Felixstowe
The Manor House open-air sea-water swimming pool, opened by Mr. W. Ross Taylor, C.B.E., M.P., on July 13 last, is situated in the grounds of a large club house which is almost built on the beach at Felixstowe.
The pool is enclosed on two sides by high walls, on the third by the house, and on the fourth by the beach. The length of one wall is taken up by the dressing accommodation, the top of which forms a flat sunbathing roof, and this is lighted up at night.
The dressing accommodation is divided into two portions, one for each sex, and it contains, besides shower baths, offices for the reception of bathers’ valuables (rubber identity wristlets are given to all bathers), and wireless installation for announcements and for broadcasting music either from the B.B.C. or from records at choice. Loudspeakers are placed at each end. Besides these dressing rooms for non-members, there is ample accommodation, with lockers, in the house for members only.
The pool, which is 146 ft. 8 in. by 50 ft., is constructed of white reinforced concrete lined with tiles. The minimum depth of the water is 3 ft. and the maximum 10 ft. Built-in semi- circular steps to the water make an artistic finish. Besides these there are also steps at the corners, and a handrail round the pool. On the opposite side to the built-in steps is a chute of modern design descending from the sun-bathing roof. To the right, facing the sea, is up-to-date diving equipment, consisting of springboards of 1 and 3 m., and fixed boards of 3 and 5 m., which are up to competition standard. At the deep end there are raised terraces for sun bathers or spectators, and these and other surroundings are coloured a vivid blue. By the steps there is a cascade aerator, which forms part of the artistic and architectural scheme. There is a paved walk round the pool which is used by bathers only. Behind this is a little parapet, the other side of which are ranged oak benches and deck chairs for spectators. Between the pool and the house there is an artificial shingle beach on what has been for years rough grass, through which paved paths lead to the club restaurant, sanitary arrangements, and entrance to the pool. The beach proper is available to pool-users, though railed off from the rest of the foreshore, and bathers may swim in the sea or pool at will. Under-water lighting in the pool is provided by 14 500-candle power lights.
Purification Plant.
The sea water which is used is drawn up from the sea by electric pumps. The filtration and chlorination plant was supplied and installed by Bell Bros. (Manchester 1927), Ltd. The water is completely filtered and chlorinated, and also re-oxygenated by means of a cascade aerator every 12 hours. Exhaustive water tests have been made.
General.
The club and pool are owned by Mr. F. W. Rogers, of Rogers Bros., builders, and contractors, of Felixstowe. This firm designed and constructed the pool. The diving stage was supplied by Cocksedge and Co., Ltd., of Ipswich, and the diving boards and chute by Spencer, Heath and George, Ltd. The electric installation is by the Felixstowe Urban District Council and Pulford, of Felixstowe, who also supplied the wireless.
