The Health Hydro welcomed swimmers back through its doors this morning as the first phase of refurbishment works at the historic Milton Road baths was officially completed.
Young swimmers from Swindon Amateur Swimming Club were the first to return to the water, taking an early morning dip on Sunday 19 January. The moment marked a return to familiar territory for the club, which is the oldest swimming club in Swindon and among the first to train at the pool when it originally opened in 1892.
Later in the morning, representatives from Swindon Borough Council, GLL, Swindon Heritage Preservation Trust and partner organisations gathered for a small ribbon-cutting ceremony to formally mark the reopening of the Grade II*-listed building.
The Health Hydro has been closed since 2023 while more than £8.5m was invested in the first phase of restoration works. Contractors Beard focused on improving the environmental performance of the building, installing new insulation and walls, as well as creating a new entrance, modern changing rooms and a new gym space. New plant equipment has also been fitted behind the scenes to help ensure the building operates more efficiently in the years ahead.
As is often the case with listed buildings, early investigations uncovered additional challenges that required careful redesign to protect the Hydro’s historic features. Extensive asbestos removal was also carried out, preparing the building for future restoration phases and long-term community use.
Funding for the project has come from a combination of sources, including Historic England, the Government’s Towns Fund, Section 106 developer contributions and investment from Swindon Borough Council.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said she was delighted to see the pool back in use.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that the Hydro is finally open again, and it’s great to see swimmers already back in the water,” she said. “So many people in Swindon learned to swim in this beautiful building, and now a new generation can do the same.
“The new gym fits beautifully within the historic surroundings, and the level access to the main pool is a real step forward for accessibility. There’s still more to do, particularly with the small pool and the wider dry-side spaces, but the future of the Hydro as a community hub is really exciting.”
Peter Bundey, Chief Executive Officer of GLL, said the reopening marked the start of a new chapter for the venue.
“The new plant and equipment mean the pool hall and water will be much warmer than before,” he said. “Alongside modern changing rooms and a gym equipped with the latest Technogym kit, visitors can now enjoy a high-quality leisure facility within a truly historic setting.”
With the Victorian-era pool now reopened, the Health Hydro will offer swimming lessons, public swimming sessions and a range of group exercise classes. Membership options include concessionary rates, with Swindon Resident Card holders eligible for discounts. Non-members can also book sessions through the ‘pay and play’ option on the Better website.
Dave Leonard, Head Coach at Swindon ASC, said returning to the Health Hydro was an important moment for the club.
“The Health Hydro isn’t just iconic, it offers something other pools don’t — a longer distance to train over, which is a huge benefit for our competitive swimmers,” he said.
“It feels fitting that Swindon ASC is the first club back in the water, given our long history with the pool. For some swimmers it’s a return to a much-loved place, while for others it will be their first experience of swimming here.
“Being back at the Hydro allows us to increase training time, support swimmers competing at regional and national level, and welcome new members in a friendly and supportive environment.”
Further phases of restoration are planned for the Health Hydro. Planning permission and listed building consent have already been granted for a second phase focusing on improvements to the main pool hall, including ventilation, accessibility and environmental performance. While funding has yet to be secured, the Council says work is ongoing to identify future funding options.
More information about activities and memberships at the Health Hydro is available via the Better website.
