In today’s Urbandoned video, we are covering the derelict St James’ Swimming Baths in
Doncaster, England.
The pool and other leisure facilities are accompanied by inter-war architecture from
various eras, making it a unique building to wander through.
Join us as we light up the dark structure in order to see some of the rare details that
remain.
As the sun began to set, we were preparing to enter the large property.
Doncaster’s coat of arms is located above its grand entrance. Be sure to look out for
this feature again inside the baths.
The long pool itself was positioned to the back of the premises, noticeable because of
its arched roof. It was around here that we were making our way to an access point with
help from a local.
Despite total neglect for seven years now, the roof of the leisure centre has kept in
decent condition, yet it was still slippy to head across as we drew nearer to an entrance.
With a tight squeeze into the darkness, we were in.
Although it was a pity that the ceiling skylights were boarded and the pool hall was difficult
to film, we weren’t going to complain at it’s size and ornate parts.
Torch lights searched around the room for the multi-coloured Art Deco bannisters and
Venetian stained glass windows that are almost unrecognisable due to the sealing of
the building.
For an amazing £10,000, the baths was opened and equipped in the early 1930s. It was the
first in England to boast underwater lighting that would hope to prevent accidents.
During the Winter, the pool would be covered allowing concerts and film screenings to go
ahead, which would explain our next discovery.
This mosaic floor was one of the many original details that cause the property to be Grade
Two Listed. There are also more unique design styles that we haven’t seen prior, that
give the pool it’s historic nature.
Some of the stunning remnants of unseen and dissolving architecture in St James’ deserve
to be shown properly, so here are some of our photographs taken inside.
During the swimming pool’s theatre periods, 1500 people could be accommodated for. Many
performers played in the unique setting, including the Beatles in the 1960s for a fee of £40.
The pool closed in 2013 after various structural concerns that couldn’t be fixed. Possibly
the site didn’t have the funds to attempt to fix the issues.
It’s very sad to see a place of such activity and colour be brought downhill to a dark space
of silence and deterioration.
The changing facilities were in separate areas away from the pool, which was a special design
feature that many baths of the time didn’t have.
What we weren’t to realise at the time was beside the Doncaster crest, underneath the
carpet was more beautiful mosaic that is yet to be uncovered. Hopefully it’s condition
is still good although it isn’t being protected.
Now we head into the very rare Turkish Baths, for relaxation purposes, one of the three
remaining in the country.
We had covered all of the baths, and as our torches began to die, we felt it was time
to head out of the site. It is up for sale currently in the hopes to find a buyer that
can bring it back to life.
If you enjoyed the video, feel free to like it and subscribe.
Here are some of our photographs of the dark property. If you like the look of them, feel
free to check out our Instagram page below where we post images from our explores months
before they are posted on YouTube.
Thanks for watching! We hope you liked our coverage of the site. See you next time!