Abandoned – Twickenham Lido
Originally opened in 1935 and closed in 1980 Twickenham Lido, also once known as Twickenham Corporation baths, was left to decay for many years while the local residents argued over what it should be turned into. It finally ended up as a Diamond Jubilee Gardens along with with a small playground and a cafe. These photos capture it in its abandoned state and were taken around 2003 before the bulldozers moved in.
Nature really took over around the pool but a few artifacts like this diving board were still visible although the stairs were long gone by this time.
Closed for over two decades the changing cubicles have withstood a battering from rival crews. I liked the ‘We got your paint’ taunt on on the side of one of the doors.
The sites demolition date was set for November 2004 so this may be one of the very last views from the first floor lobby’s window looking out towards Eel Pie Island.
Inside the main building all the lockers were strewn about the floor along with the remains of the changing cubicles.