75th Anniversary of the Jubilee Pool

Currently on show in the Social History gallery at Penlee House is a mini-exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of Penzance's rare and beautiful Art Deco lido.

The Jubilee Pool was opened in 1935 to mark the Silver Jubilee of King George V. Today, it is one of the few remaining Art Deco lidos in the entire country.  Designed by Borough Engineer, Captain Frank Latham, the Jubilee Pool was built on top of Battery Rocks, a popular local bathing spot close to Penzance Harbour. Cleverly designed to deflect the full ferocity of the Cornish seas, the pool is triangular in shape.

However, by 1992, the pool had become dilapidated to the extent that its future was in doubt. Luckily, a retired local architect, John Clarke, came to the rescue. In the following two years, John and a dedicated group of local people (who later became the Friends of the Jubilee Pool), worked to secure listed status for the pool, as well as significant grant funding to cover the cost of the pool's restoration. Hailed as an ‘Art Deco masterpiece’, the Jubilee Pool was awarded Grade II listing by English Heritage in 1993 to reflect its architectural and historic importance.

Thus, in 1994, after essential restructuring works, the pool reopened to much acclaim, and the scenes at the opening in 1935 were repeated some 60 years later. In 1998, Penwith District Council received another substantial grant to complete the essential structural relining of the pool basin, giving us the Jubilee Pool that we enjoy today. 

Penlee House's mini-exhibition includes archive photographs, memorabilia and a selection of photographs by Nik Strangelove.  The display continues until 18 September 2010.

For further information about the Jubilee Pool and other events to mark the 75th anniversary, please visit the Jubilee Pool website.