Victoria Baths

Oh Victoria Baths, you absolute heartbreaker. Opened in 1906 and described at the time as “the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country”, it served the public for 87 years before closing its doors in 1993. Cue the heartbreak. But – like all great underdog stories – it was destined for a comeback.

The campaign to save it began with local residents, forming the Friends of Victoria Baths, who later established the Victoria Baths Trust. The friends rolled up their sleeves, cleaned the place up, and welcomed the public back in – if only to see what they stood to lose.

Plans were made. Bids were placed. Film shoots and events trickled in to help fund the work. But the real turning point came in 2003, when it won the BBC’s Restoration series and a £500k injection of hope. Since then, slow and steady funding has breathed new life into the building, with the Trust working alongside Manchester City Council to transform it into a living, breathing space for events, arts, and community happenings.

Behind the handsome terracotta façade, you’ll find stained glass windows, emerald-glazed tiles, cast iron balconies, and three cavernous pool halls. Once home to Turkish baths, slipper baths – and even the UK’s first Aeratone therapeutic pool – it now hosts everything from indie beer festivals to yoga takeovers, art battles to vintage furniture fairs. The pools are even refilled for events like the annual ‘Big Splash’ swim.

These days, the building might no longer serve daily swimmers, but it serves the community in more ways than ever – with around 35,000 people visiting each year for its mix of architectural beauty, heritage and creativity. One of Manchester’s most unique buildings? No question.