Bourne Outdoor Swimming Pool

About the Pool

Situated at the southern end of the tranquil and picturesque Abbey Lawn close to the centre of the historic market town of Bourne, Lincolnshire.

The 50-yard, near Olympic-size heated pool is one of the largest surviving outdoor pools in the country.

Operated and maintained mostly by volunteers since 1990, with qualified lifeguards on duty during opening times, all other work is undertaken by trustees and a dedicated group of volunteers.

Facilities

• Toddlers Pool & Fountain Pool
• Extended lawns with seating and picnic tables
• Toddlers play area
• Indoor changing rooms, toilets and showers
• Disabled changing room with shower and toilet
• Baby changing facilities
• Takeaway café serving hot & cold drinks, snacks, sweets and ice cream

Our History Timeline

• 1919: The historic monks fishpond which dates back to 1138 was converted into a swimming pool by keen local swimmers after the 1914-18 Great War


• 1932: Bourne United Charities obtained the Monks Garden and Abbey Lawns and began to modernised the pool


• 1966: New indoor changing rooms were built and the slabbed area poolside was extended to it current form


• 1971: Bourne Round Table raised the funds for the pools first heating system


• 1974: South Kesteven District Council took over the running of the pool from Bourne Urban District Council


• 1989: Following the decision by South Kesteven District Council to close the pool, a committee was formed to save the pool. Following a protest march through Bourne and a 4,000 name petition being presented to South Kesteven District Council the preservation trust formed.


• 1990: Bourne Outdoor Pool Preservation Trust leased the pool from Bourne United Charities and took over the running of the pool


• 2000: Mrs Lesley Patrick the initial Chairperson of the trust, who was so instrumental in saving the pool from closure stood down and was succeeded by the current Chairperson Mrs Mandy Delaine-Smith


• 2001: The replacement of the life-expired boilers at a cost of £10K, signalled the start of a major programme of improvements alongside routine maintenance necessary to keep the pool in a serviceable condition


• 2006: A donation from The Len Pick Trust enabled the construction of the Disabled Changing Room which also included toilet and shower facilities


• 2007: A major refurbishment of the changing rooms was completed which included new toilet and shower facilites. New first aid treatment facilities were completed. The kitchen area in the cafe was modernised to meet the new food hygiene regulations and gained a five star rating on completion


• 2012: BRM Day in Bourne celebrated the 50th anniversary of the towns former Formula 1 Grand Prix Team BRM and Graham Hill winning the Constructors and Drivers World Championships in 1962. The pool was one of two charities selected to benefit from the community event which attracted an estimated 26,000 visitors. The Pool has already gratefully received a donation of £28,000 from the event organisers.


• 2013: The pool's status changed from a charitable trust to a charitable company limited by guarantee. A donation from The Len Pick Trust together with funds received from the BRM Day enabled major repairs to be undertaken to replace large sections of the floor screed which had become detached from the base of the pool. The entire floor of the pool was then re-sealed.


• 2018: The pool's status changed from a charitable company limited by guarantee to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.


• 2019: We celebrated he Pool’s Centenary. New energy efficient Boilers were installed with a match funding Grant from the Len Pick Trust.


• 2020: CThe Covid-19 pandemic saw the Pool remain closed for the season, this was the first time the pool had not opened to the public for a Season since the Second World War. This provided an opportunity to undertake some major repairs which could only have been undertaken during the summer months which included: Re-edging both pools with rounded stone slabs and shot blasting the pool sides to remove decades of paint which was blistering in places.


• 2024: Our 35th season operating as a Charity, the Trustees and volunteers continue to operate and maintain this unique facility for the people of Bourne and beyond. While striving to maintain the traditional ambience of the pool, an ongoing programme of improvements will continue as funds permit to enable the pool to meet all Health & Safety and Food & Hygiene regulations.