FAQs

Can I swim at Victoria Baths?

It is not possible to swim regularly at Victoria Baths, but it is the aim of the Trust to always have this as an option. We currently need to purchase equipment to heat, filter and chlorinate the pool water in order to continue with our annual Gala Pool heritage swim, as well as to hopefully offer pool use at other times of the year.

Where is Victoria Baths?

Victoria Baths is on Hathersage Road which is a couple of miles south of Manchester City Centre in an area called Chorlton-on-Medlock. It is in the Manchester City Council Ardwick ward and close to Longsight and Rusholme (famous for its Curry Mile). Manchester Royal Infirmary, the Whitworth Art Gallery and the Universities are quite close too.

Can I hire Victoria Baths for an event?

Yes, it is quite possible to hire Victoria Baths. Check out our Venue Hire pages for more information

When did the baths close?

Victoria Baths closed on 13th March 1993. It was boarded up and little was done to the building for a number of years, although the Friends ensured the building wasn’t totally neglected or forgotten. Every year there was at least one open day and the Friends carried out lots of clearing and cleaning work, long before any restoration and repair work was carried out. Find out more about our history here.

When is Victoria Baths open?

Public events at Victoria Baths take place on various weekends from April to November each year, and you can also visit for free (pay what you can) on Welcome Wednesdays between April and September. As the building is unheated it is not practical to hold public events in the colder months, although we can still facilitate some private hires.

How has the building work been funded?

Over £5m has been spent on the Victoria Baths building so far. The largest amount – £3m – came from the Heritage Lottery Fund as a result of the 2003 BBC Restoration programme win. English Heritage have also provided several large grants including the first capital grant for work to the building in 2002. Many other grant giving bodies have also made contributions, as have generous individual donors, and the public have contributed over half a million pounds towards the work too – through the viewer vote on Restoration and by contributions to the Trust’s Building Fund.

Who owns Victoria Baths?

Victoria Baths is owned by Manchester City Council and is managed on their behalf by the Victoria Baths Trust, a registered charity.

Has Victoria Baths been used for TV filming?

Yes, Victoria Baths has been used many times for filming, mainly TV dramas and some feature films, music videos and adverts. Scenes for Cracker and Prime Suspect 5 were filmed here in the 1990s and more recent programmes include Peaky Blinders, Life on Mars, The Antiques Road Show, Floggit, Bedlam, Eric & Ernie and many more…