History

Forest Hill Pools were originally opened Saturday 2nd May 1885 by the Earl of Dartmouth. The foundation stone had been laid a year earlier in a ceremony with 1700 school children in attendance.

Their origin can be traced back to 1846, when the Baths and Wash-Houses Act empowered local authorities to raise money for such buildings. In 1882 the Lewisham Vestry (the local authority then) used these powers to build two swimming pools with public baths in Ladywell and Forest Hill.

Both the Ladywell and Forest Hill pools were designed by Wilson and Aldwinckle. Thomas Aldwinckle (?1845-1920) lived in Dacres Road from the mid-1880s for about twenty years. In addition to the pools he also designed Louise House, the Boys’ Industrial Home in Perry Rise (demolished a few years ago) and the Brook Hospital and Water Tower at Shooters Hill.

Forest Hill Pools cost £9,000 – probably about £600,000 in today’s money.

Steve Grindley, a Sydenham local historian, has published a history of the pools on the Sydenham Society blog. In 2008 he also helped produce a documentary on Forest Hill Pools.

A documentary on Forest Hill Pools in London.

Directed by James E. Melloy and presented by Steve Grindlay.
Produced by the Friends of Forest Hill Pools.