The 1930s tidal pool at Margate Main Sands has been listed at Grade II by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England.
The man-made pool fills naturally as the tide comes in and was originally designed to give the public easier access to seawater swimming, as at low tide the shoreline can be more than 200 metres away.
Sea-bathing and its apparent health benefits grew in popularity from the 18th century and there was a revival in the activity during the period between the two World Wars.
It joins the nearby Walpole Bay tidal pool, already listed at Grade II, on the National Heritage List for England. Margate is thought to be the only town in England home to two purpose-built tidal pools from this era.
The listing celebrates and provides protection to the important structure.
The Marine Terrace tidal pool sits opposite the Victorian Nayland Rock shelter, where TS Eliot likely composed part of his famous poem ‘The Waste Land’.
Both of Margate’s tidal pools were built in 1937 and are ambitious feats of structural engineering.
The scale and weight of the concrete blocks used are impressive, especially considering that the work to put them in place would have been carried out throughout the day and night in accordance with the tide.
Today, swimming and diving aren’t permitted as the pool has an uneven depth which constantly changes with the tides. Walpole Bay tidal pool remains a popular swimming spot.
Steve Albon, Cabinet Member for Coastal and Cleansing at Thanet District Council, said: “Margate is a much-loved seaside resort with a long tradition of sea-bathing. Though members of the public are not permitted to swim or dive in the pool now, for important safety reasons, the tidal pool is a really impressive focal point on the beach.”
A brief history of Margate’s sea-bathing culture
Among British seaside towns, Margate stands out as one of the most culturally influential.
Its rich history dates back to the 18th century, when sea-bathing first grew in popularity.
Following the publication of Dr Richard Russell’s The Use of Sea Water in 1753, people from all around the country flocked to the British seaside to partake in the act of sea-bathing and enjoy the coast’s believed health benefits.
Kent’s coastline quickly emerged as a popular destination, with Margate leading the way as the first to offer its visitors innovations such as the world’s first sea-bathing hospital as well as bathing machines with canvas modesty hoods.
These roofed wooden carts on wheels would be rolled into the sea so that sea-bathing etiquette might be followed by ‘respectable’ men and women.
By the 1930s, sea-bathing was still common practice among those seeking to improve their health.
During this interwar period, sea-bathing continued as a popular remedy for a variety of ills, and Margate continued to grow as a seaside town – between 1901 and 1939 the population grew from 26,734 to 36,742.
As structural engineering improved, so did the sea-bathing facilities available.
Although the Royal Sea Bathing Hospital had an indoor seawater pool for use during the winter months, the construction of both tidal pools further increased the sea bathing opportunities and accommodated the large number of visitors.
The two new tidal pools were intended to make it possible for large numbers of people to bathe in the sea no matter the tide.
Although positioned at opposite ends of the town, the two pools were designed as a functional pair to improve Margate’s sea-bathing facilities at the peak of the English seaside’s popularity.
Source Historic England
So glad Margate Tidal pool has been listed. I grew up learning to swim in the safety of its waters and spent many happy hours walking its circumference. Good to see someone realises the importance of safe access to sea water.
But they don’t! They would rather make a rule that ‘swimming is not allowed due to uneven depth’ than correct the ‘uneven’ depth.
Sounds good but we the people cannot use because of years of being neglected by tdc, so is it just for looking at as opposed to using it
Thanet is blessed with such a wealth of history – great local educational experiences for local youngstes, ron our doorstep, too!
Shame the accompanying Sundeck didn’t get listed before it got demolished in 1990…
I applied for the listing of this tidal pool last year after hearing the remarks of the Council leader Ashbee saying she would bulldoze the pool.
Tim Horne from Historic England inspected the pool and advised on it’s listing. List Entry Number: 1485679. It took a while and should have been listed when Walpole Bay pool got listed in 2014 as they are a pair meant for swimming in.
The Marine Terrace pool needs to be dredged of silt and sand to bring it back to how it was meant to be. I don’t see the Council maintaining it though. Last year they were looking to let it out as long as the lessee maintained it and paid a fee.
here follows the report where Cllr Ashbee talks about opening the end by bulldozing it.
https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2023/01/21/pedalo-concession-plan-for-margate-seafront-tidal-pool/
things like this are usualy the kiss of death for anything in thanet