The Health Hydro

Project history and next steps

Health Hydro swimming pool

Planning the restoration

Planning the restoration of the Health Hydro began in 2018, when the Council commissioned an Options Appraisal to explore the future of the building.

The appraisal was developed with support from:

  • Greenwich Leisure Limited (the leaseholder)
  • Friends of the Health Hydro
  • Local swimming club representatives
  • Swindon Heritage Preservation
  • Council planning and conservation officers
  • Historic England

The preferred option that emerged was to restore the Health Hydro and allow it to continue serving the health and wellbeing needs of local communities. You can read more in the Health Hydro Options Appraisal (PDF).

Timetable for the restoration work

  • March 2019
    • Swindon Borough Council committed £1.5 million
  • March 2021
    • A further £5 million was allocated through the Swindon Town Deal
  • November 2021
    • Fourth Street was appointed to lead the restoration work and full-service design team on behalf of the Council and its partners
  • March 2022
    • A business case was submitted to the Swindon Town Deal Board to secure Town Deal investment
  • March 2023
    • The Health Hydro closed to enable the first phase of restoration to begin
  • May 2023
    • Full planning permission and listed building consent for Phase 1 were secured
  • July 2023
    • EW Beard was awarded the Phase 1 works contract
  • September 2023
    • Phase 1 works commenced
  • October 2023
    • Historic England awarded a Repair Grant of £435,000 to fund repairs to brick and stonework on Faringdon Road, valley gutters and downpipes, and external doors and windows. These works began immediately and were completed in March 2024.
  • November 2023
    • A Development Stage application for £4.6 million was submitted to the National Lottery Heritage Fund under its Heritage Grants programme, to support conservation and repair works to the Main Pool Hall
  • March 2024
    • The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded a Development Grant of £409,000
  • January 2026
    • The first phase of regeneration work was completed and the Health Hydro reopened

Next steps

  • If the Delivery Stage application for the Main Pool Hall restoration is successful, conservation works are expected to take place during 2027
  • Work is continuing to secure further funding for the restoration and development of the Small Pool, Turkish Baths, Dispensary and dry-side areas of the Health Hydro
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