Our Heritage
At the heart of its community since 1904, Bramley Baths is the last remaining Edwardian bath house in Leeds.
Bramley was built as one of eight bath houses to improve public health and wellbeing in response to the outbreak of cholera. Local residents came to wash, swim and use the Russian Steam Baths – fashionable with the wealthier Edwardians as a healthy pastime. It housed twenty slipper baths, 16 for men and 4 for women, ranging in price from 6 pence (£2 in today’s value) for a luxurious hot bath to 2 pence for just a bath. The baths were built on the original site of the Globe Foundry, owned by William Bottomly in the 1870s, where iron, brass and mill machinery was made. The iconic chimney built from 8000 Kirkstall bricks still towers over the baths today.
The baths retain many original features including the oak reception box, stained glass windows and tiling throughout, and have been in continuous use since 1904, evolving with the times to meet changing needs. The baths were emptied during the Depression of the 1920s but instead of closing, a dance floor was built allowing the baths to continue as a social hub for the community even in the toughest times. They have served as a decontamination centre, hosted wrestling and roller skating tournaments. From World War II to the 1960s Bramley Baths was well known across the city for its dances with social events, galas and swimming lessons dominating the 50s, 60s and 70s. The baths had a strong reputation for holding swimming galas as early as 1910, with the Bramley swimming squad being well regarded across Leeds.
A constant in local life since it opened its doors, in 2023 Bramley Baths was awarded a Blue Plaque from Leeds Civic Trust in recognition of its social, cultural and architectural significance. In 2025 we were awarded a development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund as the first phase of its #Morethanapool project to restore and protect the unique heritage site, and make the building, its original features, and vital services sustainable for the long term future.
Did you learn to swim, meet your partner, develop a career or even dance here? So many people have a connection to Bramley Baths and we’d love to hear your story as part its heritage.
If you would like to share stories or ideas for the future of this special place, contact helen@bramleybaths.com
#Morethanapool
#Morethanapool is our ambitious project to safeguard a vital community and heritage asset. Simultaneously repairing and protecting our unique building, saving stories and memories embedded in its walls, our project will put Bramley Baths on the map as a wellbeing, community and heritage destination. Revitalising original spaces and facilities, and creating further opportunities for connection, our project will realise untapped potential and support long term sustainability.
#Morethanapool is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to start the development stage of the project; piloting new activities to connect more people with Bramley Baths in new and innovative ways, and explore essential works to restore, repair and protect Leeds’s last Edwardian bath house.
Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “We are delighted to support Bramley Baths with the initial phase of their ambitious restoration project. Thanks to National Lottery players, they can continue to develop their plans to safeguard the building and the many stories held within its walls for future generations.”
The project will ensure that Bramley Baths can continue its 120-year-old role of serving its community. The project will secure this special place for existing and new users, future generations, the city of Leeds and wider regional landscape. With partnerships built on trust and success, a strong reputation and role as an exemplar in the sector, growing interest in working with us, established community support, and unique heritage position, #Morethanapool is on a strong footing for success.
In continuous use since 1904, Bramley Baths is an essential resource in community life. We provide social cohesion, physical and mental health and wellbeing facilities, local employment, and a hub for community services from a site of social, cultural, architectural and historic significance. #Morethanpool will protect, sustain and develop a vital community and heritage asset.
We are already a thriving social enterprise and leisure facility, a host to other organisations for delivering their services, and a safe space for marginalised groups. We are located in an economically challenged area experiencing health inequalities. #Morethanapool will create space and opportunity for increasing our service delivery and profile.
BB has been awarded development stage funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. An application for delivery phase funding will be submitted in March 2027, a positive outcome enabling works to start later in 2027 with a view to project completion in spring 2029.
#Morethanapool is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund