Smethwick Baths - Birmingham,

Ghosts of Smethwick Baths

Several accounts of paranormal activity have been reported here, including wet footprints fresh on the floor when bathers had long gone home, many apparitions seen in the underground tunnels and bright lights strangely being set off in the changing rooms.  The toilets themselves are said to be very haunted with the ghost of a woman seen on many occasions, reminding us of Myrtle in the \'Chamber of Secrets\' Harry Potter Film.  The tunnels themselves are thought to be haunted by many spirits including that of children.  In fact on one of our overnight ghost hunts here we clearly heard the sound of a child shouting \'Mummy\' which was upsetting to all who were there to experience this.

Smethwick Baths really is a ghost hunt like no other as each area we work in is so different from the rest and the activity appears to change dramatically from friendly to sinister.  Many of our guests have been too scared to continue on this ghost hunt, particularly when they have spent any time in the haunted tunnels. 

The ghosts here at Smethwick Baths are not frightened to confront us nor do they care who they terrify.  In fact poltergeist activity at Smethwick Baths is rife so do not be surprised to have small objects suddenly landing at your feet.

History of Smethwick Baths

Smethwick swimming Centre, formally known as Thimblemill Baths, has gone through many interesting changes over the years and has had numerous famous faces passing through its doors and remarkably it also survived the Second World War.

Smethwick opened on the 30th March 1933 and designed by Chester Button and Roland Fletcher, the art deco features of the building were inspired by the high arched roof of aircraft hangers in France. In turn these features were derived from the Scandinavian timber construction of the Breslau exhibition pavilion in the early 1920’s. Other similar designs can also be found at the Royal Horticultural Hall in London.

During the World War 2 years the baths was used for different reasons than for recreation. The subways and cellars were used as an air raid shelters. Posters from the war period can still be seen today in the subways along with drawings on the wall.

After World War 2 had finished, the baths started to see some of its more exciting and exhilarating times. From April to September the main pool was open for public swimming and October to March the pool was emptied taking 2 days to drain. Once empty the area was boarded off with a sprung maple floor. The setting up of the sprung maple floor would take 2 weeks to construct, but once done such events as hair dressing, dancing and boxing took place. This completely invigorated the community and led to what was then called Thimblemill Baths being a hub of activity.

Additional History of Smethwick Baths

Stepping into more recent times and the now Smethwick Swimming Centre still has the same art deco features but added with a few more modern twists.  There a still 2 pools but there is now a split level gym with 3 areas with area now in the old cafe, a dance studio with a group fitness programme and a sauna and steam facility. The subways which were once used during World War 2 still have memories on the walls and attract a lot of attention from general public, have been used for ambulance and fire service training and paranormal groups finding spooky goings on from the centres famous history. 

The centre was featured on the BBC’s The One Show and Presenter Phil Tufnell came down to report on the pool rules poster. Smethwick was the first centre to have the poster which was displayed at Smethwick Baths in 1942. 

When recently refurbishing the front of the building the original sign ‘Smethwick Baths’ was discovered behind a modern sign. This has now been kept although several local residents know the centre asThimblemill Baths. The building is also a Grade 2 listed building.