The outdoor swimming pool on Hartlepool Headland is packed with swimmers and spectators, circa the 1950s.

The Hartlepool Headland outdoor swimming pool taken some time after the great storm of 1953, leaving the pool in a very sorry state. In the background, on the left, repairs to the damaged New Pier are clearly visible.

On January 31st 1953 there was a 'great storm' which caused a tremendous amount of damage to buildings in the town and the walls of the Headland bathing pool were breached. This image was taken a few days later. For a while it was hoped that the pool could be repaired but later in the year,it was decided that this would not happen.

Visitors to the Headland today can still see the outline of the pool amongst the rocks and seaweed when the tide is low and the outline of the changing room buildings is still to be seen on the wall of the promenade.

A view of the Block Sands and outdoor swimming pool taken in 1952 from the New Pier. The diving platform and water shute are clearly visible on the seaward side of the pool.

A number of as yet un-dated images of a Boy's Brigade unit at the open-air swimming pool - nor do we know the names of any of the boys. 

Picture of old Hartlepool below South Crescent. It looks like it could be the construction of the open-air swimming pool. The shape is there but no diving board and no changing rooms. Someone has their washing drying on the beach area and children are playing around the area.

Jeannie Lappin (back) and Mary Scurr, with a sizeable audience looking on at Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool in 1931.

Emma Herbert (nee Herring), outside the changing rooms at the open-air swimming pool in 1940.

Mary Larkin (formerly Cranston) seems to be learning how to swim on dry land! The occasion is the opening of the Open Air Swimming Pool.

2012 - the remains of the Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool are almost invisible under a mat of seaweed, while all that remains of the shoreside buildings are "ghost" marks.

Diving off the high platform at the Hartlepool Headland open-air swimming pool.

Mary Scurr is just a blur as she makes a feet-first entry from the springboard at Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool in 1931.

Model of a new bathing pool planned for South Cliff, old Hartlepool. This later became the open-air swimming pool.

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Possibly a postcard image - although difficult to make out, the writing at the bottom right of the image appears to read "New Promenade and swimming pool Hartlepool".

Floss Delafield (nee Johnson), with left to right nephew Alan Delafield, son Norman Delafield, nephew Peter Calvert, son John Delafield and daughter Margaret Delafield. The bathing pool can be seen behind.

Kip Herring (left), Tash White (? centre), and friend sitting on the steps of the diving board at the Headland outdoor swimming pool in 1948.

A nice picture of the open-air swimming pool with the pilot pier in the background and South Crescent above.

Open-air swimming pool, old Hartlepool, 1949

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Members of a swimming club at the open air swimming pool At old Hartlepool.

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Open-air bathing pool old Hartlepool

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A shot of the pool taken fron the upper floor of one of the overlooking houses

Shot of the pool from the side

Open-air swimming pool old Hartlepool

Repairs being carried out on the New Pier after it was badly damaged during the great storm of 1953.

Two young lads in the outdoor swimming pool on Hartlepool Headland making friends with a sea horse!

Jeannie Lappin (right, with the natty footwear), with an unknown friend and the two youngsters Billy and Olive, at Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool in 1931.

A photograph believed to show pupils from St Bega's at the Open-Air Swimming Pool, date approx 1930. 

Damage to the Open-air Swimming Pool caused by the great storm of 1953, which also badly damaged the Heugh Breakwater.

Jeannie Lappin stuck halfway down the shute at Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool in 1931.

An inknown group of swimmers - perhaps "seniors" in a swimming team?

An undated image of the open-air swimming pool.

Jeannie Lappin modelling a striking Art Deco swimsuit at the Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool in 1931.

Jeannie Lappin (wearing some classy pool shoes), Mary Scurr, Billy and Olive at the Hartlepool Headland Outdoor Swimming Pool, in 1931.