Guests can swim in Victoria Baths this weekend as The Big Splash returns

The Big Splash returns to Victoria Baths this weekend, with the iconic pool to be filled for three days amidst a packed weekend programme of events.

For 362 days of the year, the pool usually stands empty—though does house a range of events like beer festivals, cinema screenings and markets—but guests will have the rare opportunity to take a dip in one of Britain’s most famed landmarks.

On Fri 9 Sept visitors can enjoy a swim followed by a delicious plant-based three-course supper served in the former Males 2^nd Class Pool by local foodie favourites The Sri Lankan Experience. Tickets are priced at £45, with the first swim session at 6pm and a second at 7pm, and both can be booked here.

Early-morning lane swimming can be booked on Sat 10 and Sun 11 Sep from 8am-9am, with hot drinks and pastries served afterwards in the Tea Room.

The rest of the weekend is all about fun, expect floats, pink flamingos and Edwardian swimming outfits. Sessions can be booked from 9.30am-4.15pm, with tickets priced at £16.

Whilst it is swimming that takes centre stage, there is also lots more happening reflecting the fact that the weekend takes place during the national Heritage Open Days festival. On Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm there are guided building tours, the history/restoration exhibition will be open, the viewing gallery over the Gala Pool will be open, Choir performances will be dotted throughout the weekend, the volunteer-run Tea Room will be open and Hip Hop Chip Shop will be on-site.

In keeping with Heritage Open Days’ theme of Astounding Inventions there will also be a talk each day called The Astounding Aerotone, which will blow some myths about this mysterious device.

There’ll also be a Kids’ Art Trail throughout the Grade II building, a play area for little ones in the Tea Room and a Make, Do and Disco event run by Our Kids Social on Sun 11 Sep.