Bath’s derelict Cleveland Pools – Britain’s last remaining open-air, cold water Georgian lido – had some very special international visitors today.
They are representatives of many European spa towns who – along with Bath Spa – are bidding for World Heritage Status joint recognition of the important role spa towns have played in the development of modern Europe’s history, politics, arts and even today’s tourism industry.
The delegates are attending a General Assembly of the European Historical Thermal Towns Association – which is being held in Bath – and will involve representatives for 30 spa towns and regional associations.
Their visit to the Bathwick site – hopefully on the way to being restored – marks an important point in the Lido’s history.
Cleveland Pools have recently been awarded a development grant of £366,220 pounds by the
Heritage Lottery Fund with earmarked funding of 4.1 million to actually do the restoration job.
However, the money is not yet in the bag – as Project Director Christopher Heath explained.
