Pools on the Park

Pools on the Park (previously known as Richmond Baths) is a Grade II listed^[2] swimming pool and leisure facility in Old Deer Park in Richmond, London. Construction on the 6.5-acre (2.6 ha) site started in 1964 and was completed in 1966; the architect was Leslie Gooday.^[3][4] The pool replaced the previous Richmond baths nearby which had been built in Parkshot in 1882.^[5]

Pools on the Park
Main entrance and forecourt
51.4652°N 0.3059°W / 51.4652; -0.3059
Location	Pools on the Park, Old Deer Park, Richmond, TW9 2SF
Opened	1966; 59 years ago (1966)
Operated by	Richmond Council's Feel Good Fitness
Owned by	Richmond Council
Architect	Leslie Gooday
Type	heated indoor and outdoor
Former name(s)	Richmond Baths
Status	Grade II
Length	33.3 metres (109 ft)
Width	13 metres (43 ft)
Depth	3.6 metres (12 ft)[1]
Website	www.richmond.gov.uk/pools_on_the_park_info.htm
Features
6-lane main pool, learner pool, 6-lane outdoor pool
Facilities
parking, cafe, gym, sauna, steamroom, extensive grounds

Designations
Listed Building – Grade II
Official name	Richmond Baths, Old Deer Park
Designated	16 January 1996
Reference no.	1246189

Pools on the Park is recognised by Historic England as illustrating "the more ambitious use of glazed curtain walling and the post-Wolfenden Report^{[note 1]} emphasis on providing large banks of spectator seating".^[7]

The building, which includes 33.3-metre (109 ft) pool and a learner pool inside, and an open-air pool outside, received a Civic Trust award in 1967.^[2][8]

Richmond Council manages, directly, the pool and leisure facility.^[5][9] Pool on the Park has a long established physiotherapy and osteopathy clinic on site.

Transport

Pools on the Park has its own pay and display car park and is the terminus for London Buses route 490 from Heathrow Terminal 5.^[10]

Note

1. The Wolfenden Report referred to in this instance is that of the Committee on Sport & the Community, chaired by John Wolfenden, whose report, commissioned by the Central Council of Physical Recreation, reported in 1960.^[6]