Margate's 1930s tidal pool given Grade II listing

KentOnline / KMTV

Despite rules not allowing visitors to swim in it, the pool is extremely popular, and some hope that its recent recognition means it can be returned to its former glory.

Transcript

00:00Seaswimming has been popular in coastal towns for a long time, and Margate is no exception.

00:06Built back in the 1930s, this near 100-year-old pool is now being recognised for its historical relevance.

00:13A tidal pool is built so that the rising tides fill the space between its concrete walls,

00:18leaving a usable seawater pool at low tide.

00:21The Marine Terrace Tidal Pool has been grade-listed at Grade 2.

00:25One of the main purposes of the listing is to celebrate the historical importance of this tidal pool,

00:31to hopefully give people a better understanding of what they're looking at when they walk past this part of the beach.

00:37And we don't know what the future of this particular pool is going to be,

00:41but the listing will ensure that it is preserved for future generations to enjoy.

00:47Like Tim said, grade listings are given to sites that they believe need to be protected, like this pool,

00:53which was originally built in order to make it easier to swim at low tide,

00:57with the waters sometimes going out 200 metres from the beach.

01:01Well, even though you're not technically allowed to swim in this tidal pool, people still do,

01:06and Margate holds the claim of being the only place in England to have two historic tidal pools.

01:12Nearby signs can be spotted warning of the danger of the pool, and lifeguards prompting people not to use its waters.

01:19But the site manager hopes that the grade listing might increase interest in the site,

01:23leading to better maintenance so that people can use it again.

01:26It seems like a safer place to swim if it's been done up and maybe dredged and brought back to its former glory.

01:32When the tide's out, it's very far to walk to get to the sea.

01:37So I think everyone will benefit from it here, and Margate's a place that feels like it's on the up.

01:44The tidal pool will be a nice marker of them bringing Margate back to its former glory,

01:49and a lovely tidal pool on the main beach for everyone to use.

01:52Despite the beach rules, locals and tourists still use the pool, which is intended for boating,

01:58unlike the Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, also listed at Grade 2, which measures at four acres.

02:04Historic England described the sites as ambitious feats of structural engineering due to their size,

02:10but their popularity and local importance help as well.

02:13And they aren't even the only ones in Margate, with the Victorian Leyland Rock Shelter,

02:17where T.S. Eliot is believed to have written his poem The Wasteland also being grade listed.

02:22Well, T.S. Eliot and Historic England both seem inspired by the seafront here in Margate,

02:27which is likely to see more and more swimmers across the summer.

02:30Finn McDermid for KMTV in Margate.

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