14th July 2014
Victoria Baths celebrates Heritage Open Days with
Contemporary Glass Fair
Manchester’s Victoria Baths is celebrating Heritage Open Days with a glass fair
taking place Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September. As well as spectacular
displays and stalls from leading glass artists, visitors will have the opportunity to tour
the building, with highlights including the Edwardian stained glass for which the water
palace is famed.
Artists from the Contemporary Glass Society Northern Hub will be coming together to
showcase a colourful collection of handmade pieces, from wall art and homewares to
jewellery and decorative art. The retro changing cubicles will be just one of the
inspiring locations used for the displays, with opportunities to browse and buy.
Demonstrations and drop-in workshops will also be running throughout the weekend,
including fused glass techniques for coaster and pendant making, plus mini mosaics
for children.
The grandeur of Victoria Baths with its three vast pool halls, sumptuous Turkish
baths and spectacular architecture make it one of England’s leading heritage visitor
attractions. First opened in 1906, the grade II* listed building provided spacious and
extensive facilities for bathing and leisure, later becoming a training ground for
champion swimmers. Now partially restored, the building hosts a great variety of
events.
Heritage Open Days at Victoria Baths take place Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th
September, 11am – 4pm. Entry is free. Guided tours are available and the café and
shop will be open through the weekend. For more information visit
www.victoriabaths.org.uk
ENDS
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E: rose.allerston@fidopr.co.uk / laura.sullivan@fidopr.co.uk T: 0161 274 3311
Notes to Editors:
Victoria Baths
Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s leading heritage visitor attractions and arts
venues which holds regular opens days and walking tours for the public each year.
When it first opened in 1906, the building provided spacious and extensive facilities
for swimming, bathing and leisure. Despite protests from local residents, the Baths
closed in 1993 due to lack of funding, but was listed grade II* in reflection of its
historic and architectural significance.
In September 2003, the Baths won the first series of the BBC's Restoration
programme, securing £3.4million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Much of the
frontage of the building, including all the stained glass windows and the glass roof of
the gala pool, have been restored. The vision for the future is to reopen the Turkish
baths and one of the three pools to the public once again.