The small, heart of Somerset town of Street is best known as the home of the Clarks shoes empire, a business that has given much to the town over the years including, happily for swimmers, Greenbank pool. The pool was commissioned by Bancroft Clark, following the wishes of his aunt Alice, to provide safe swimming for the people of Street - many of who would have been employees in the factory at that time. Alice Clark particularly had in mind making swimming available to the women and children, as the men had long been inclined to swim naked in the local river.
It opened in 1937, on the crest of the lido wave. You’ll notice the striking art-deco architecture of the admission and changing block on entry and the layout of the pools are unchanged - a large main tank and a semi-circular toddler pool set in expansive lawns with mature trees providing shady spots for those who don’t like too much poaching in the sun. The water is heated, and the more recent addition of a giant wet play area makes this a very popular pool for swimmers of all generations.