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Shoalstone Pool

Coordinates: 50°24′04″N 3°29′56″W / 50.401233°N 3.498759°W / 50.401233; -3.498759
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Shoalstone Pool
Shoalstone lido in 2007
Map
Opened1896[1]
Length53 metres[2]
Websitehttp://shoalstonepool.com/

Shoalstone Pool is a sea-water swimming pool or lido on Shoalstone Beach, Brixham, Devon.

Description

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This pool is the English Riviera's only open air 50m sea-water swimming pool. The pool is used by local families and schools in the area. There are excellent views across Torbay at high tide.[3]

The swimming season is May–September when it has lifeguards on duty from 10am to 6pm. There is no charge for swimming. The pool is managed by Shoalstone Pool CIO and supported by the Friends of Shoalstone Pool.[4][5][6]

Shoalstone Pool is an outdoor 53 metre sea water swimming Pool situated in a stunning position on Brixham sea front. The Pool is one of only a few left in the country. It is built into a natural rock pool that in Victorian times was popular for bathing. As a salt water Pool, there is an abundant supply of water; however in 1896 two walls were built to retain the tidal water that flooded in.

The Pool is funded from donations, grants, fund-raising, sponsorship, advertising on site, car park revenue and the hire charges for beach huts and beach furniture.

In 2004 Torbay Council could no longer afford to support the Pool. A public meeting was convened and a decision taken to create a working party to look at keeping the Pool open.[citation needed] This subsequently became “The Friends of Shoalstone Pool” who worked with Torbay Council to maintain the Pool thus reducing the cost to Torbay Council.

When setting its budget in 2014 Torbay Council drew up plans to close Shoalstone Pool. Following prolonged negotiations Brixham Town Council (“BTC”) entered into a lease under which Torbay Council leases Shoalstone Pool, together with the land and buildings surrounding the Pool to BTC. Torbay Council remains the freeholder. Shoalstone Pool is managed on behalf of BTC by Shoalstone Pool CIO.

Shoalstone Pool is much used by local people and is very popular with tourists. The number of visitors per year depends upon the weather but several thousand people use the Pool each year, mainly, of course, between May and September. The pool is also available for hire to clubs and for parties

References

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  1. ^ "History". Shoalstone Sea Water Pool. Archived from the original on 21 September 2019. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  2. ^ "About us". Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  3. ^ William Oxley (1992). The playboy; Volume 81 of Salzburg studies in English literature. University of Salzburg.
  4. ^ Alexandra Buxton (26 July 2003). "Sea change". The Guardian.
  5. ^ Alexandra Buxton (25 August 2007). "The Great Outdoors: Wild Swimming: Top 100: Outdoor Swims: Saltwater Pools". The Guardian.
  6. ^ "Shoalstone, Brixham". BBC Devon.
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50°24′04″N 3°29′56″W / 50.401233°N 3.498759°W / 50.401233; -3.498759