Coventry Central Baths (original part including sunbathing terraces), part of Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre is a Grade II listed building in the Coventry local planning authority area, England. First listed on 2 December 1997. Swimming baths. 7 related planning applications.

Coventry Central Baths (original part including sunbathing terraces), part of Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre

WRENN ID
leaning-parapet-onyx
Grade
II
Local Planning Authority
Coventry
Constituency
Coventry South MP: Zarah Sultana (YP)
Country
England
Date first listed
2 December 1997
Type
Swimming baths
Address
Coventry Central Baths (original part including sunbathing terraces), part of Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre, Fairfax Street, CV1 5RY
OS grid reference
SP 338 791
Coordinates
52.40916, -1.50452
Source
Historic England listing

Also on this page: EPC · related consents · flood risk · radon risk · weather exposure · detailed attributes ↓

Description

Coventry Central Baths, which includes the original sunbathing terraces, is a swimming facility designed in 1956 and built between 1962 and 1966 by the Coventry City Architect's Department, led by Arthur Ling and Terence Gregory, with Michael McLellan as the principal architect and Paul Beney as the assistant in charge. The 1970s dry sports centre to the east, along with the glazed link bridge and the linking external stairs, are not included in the listing.

The building features a steel frame supported by four main stanchions located outside the building envelope, utilizing cantilevers extensively. It is clad in brick with large areas of glazing. At the upper levels, the mosaic finishes of expressed trusses have been replaced with powder-coated metal that aligns with the original design intentions.

The layout consists of three pools arranged in a single hall on a tight site, with the largest pool being 'T'-shaped to accommodate a diving area that extends southward. The south elevation is particularly striking, featuring full glazing on five sides, with strong internal mullions. Externally, the mullions and transoms create a consistent grid pattern.

Inside, the main pool hall is notable for its impressive scale, accommodating 1,174 spectators and featuring a 165-foot pool with a diving area in the projecting 'T'. There is also a small teaching pool located in a low-ceilinged space beneath a projecting café and viewing area, with an additional small pool beyond. These areas maintain their original brick and tile finishes.

Local climate

Coventry Central Baths (original part including sunbathing terraces), part of Coventry Sports and Leisure Centre receives an average of 770 mm of rain a year. This makes it drier than 64% of listed buildings in the UK. Its exposure to wind-driven rain is lower than that of 70% of listed buildings.

It experiences an average of 35 freeze-thaw cycles a year, more than 59% of listed buildings. Of these, 17 follow at least 1 mm of rain in the preceding 48 hours. Average temperatures at this location have risen by 0.3°C per decade since 1991.

Averages for 1991–2020; temperature trend 1991–2025. Figures describe the wider area (a grid cell of roughly 10 km), not the individual site. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information 2026.

More on this building

Sign in or create a free account to unlock:

  • Full EPC report — heating system, energy costs, size, glazing, construction etc.
  • No sale records on file
  • Related listed building consents — 7 applications
  • Detailed attributes — period, style, materials, features
  • Flood risk assessment
  • Radon risk assessment
  • Weather exposure and heating demand — rain and frost month by month and year by year, wind direction, solar and humidity
Create free account

Matched applications, energy data and sale records are assembled automatically and may contain errors. Flag incorrect data.

Similar buildings

The closest matches to this building from all 493,000 UK listed buildings, by architecture, period and materials.

Nearby listed buildings

  1. Cathedral of St Michael Grade I 185 m
  2. Medieval Basement Below Site of 38 and 39 Bayley Street Grade I 219 m
  3. 11, Priory Row Grade II 220 m
  4. Front Gate and Railings to Number 11 Grade II 226 m
  5. 9 and 10, Priory Row Grade II 237 m
  6. Draper's Hall Grade II* 247 m
  7. 8, Priory Row Grade II 249 m
  8. Pelham Lee House Grade II 258 m
  9. Ruined Cathedral Church of St Michael Grade I 273 m
  10. St Mary's Hall Grade I 283 m