Girl Diving at New Brighton

New Brighton On The Wirral
Had Britain's Finest Open Air Bathing Pools

Girl Diving at New Brighton


New Brighton was the top holiday resort  in the North West  England. The Wallasey resort attracted  people from all walks of life and all income brackets.  At the turn of the century,  the New  Brighton Tower (which was located on the top of the Tower Ballroom ) was higher than the Blackpool Tower. In the 50s and 60's the Ballroom had top named acts pulling in the holiday makers, one small group who performed there were called the Beatles. But the main daytime attraction was New Brighton's Golden  Beaches, the Fun Fair and Wallaseys world famous Open Air Swimming Pools. They Swimming pools  were; The New Brighton  Bathing Pool, located on the New Brighton  Promenade, at the start of Rowsen Street (Map) , and the Derby Pool located at the opposite end of the Promenade. (Map)





Miss New Brighton Contest 1953 At The New Brighton Baths The New Brighton Bathing Pool, situated in central New Brighton, was one of the largest open air water stadiums in the world. The Pool offered safe bathing to the smallest of children. Accommodation was available to 3,000 bathers and 20,000 spectators. In 1951 and 1952 the pool was selected to host the ASA National Diving Championships. A great attraction each year was the Miss New Brighton Contest. In 1953 the contest was won by Miss Brenda Mee.
In the period June - September 1934, almost one million people passed through the turnstiles (gates). Following extensive storm damage in 1990, the baths were closed for the last time and New Brighton was to suffer another large blow to its tourist industry.
 Happy School Kids at the New Briagton Baths (1953)
The Darby Pool, New Brightons Second Open Air Pool.
New Brighton's other great pool was the Derby Pool. Which could be found at the far end of the New Brighton Promenade.
The New Brighton Tower building is seen silhouetted against the River Mersey. the steel tower was taken down between 1919-1921, leaving the Tower Ballroom in place. In the foreground the New Brighton Baths can be seen. This picture gives an indication of the scale of the facility. Sadly the site of the baths has now been filled in and is now part of a bus terminus.
 An Ariel View Over New Brighton Baths (1953)
( Page Updated  10 Jul 03) Copyright © 2003 Owner and designer of this site, and photos, All Rights Reserved