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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Tumbling Bay
Tumbling Bay, also known as Tum, is an outdoors bathing area in Oxford, England. Fed by the River Thames, the bathing spot opened in 1853 and closed formally in 1990. Subsequently, it has been known as a wild swimming location.

Description

The Tumbling Bay bathing area is formed of two constructed concrete bathing areas, with steps, fed by the River Thames via the Bulstake Stream. Weirs at either end enable the water level to remain stable. Access to the bathing area is either via the Thames itself, or by a path from Botley Park. Downstream the waterway feeds into the Isis. It is also known locally as "Tum".

History

Tumbling Bay was the second, after Fiddler's Island near Port Meadow, public bathing space in Oxford to be authorised by the County Council. It opened in 1853, originally for men only, and was extended in 1866. Facilities included a changing room and toilets. In 1881 John Salter, in his book The River Thames: A Guide, stated the Tum was a "fine public bathing place". Its' most popular year was 1947, when 86,000 people visited the bathing spot. Archaeological investigations, conducted in 2019 in preparation for a fish ladder, identified 16 structures on the site. These included locker room and toilet facilities, a guard house, and toll house and ferry house to the east for crossing the River Thames.

Tumbling Bay was closed officially in 1990, though swimmers often used it subsequently, and the concrete pools and the foundations of the changing rooms remained. In 2021, due to the ongoing collapse of the northern concrete bank, the area was closed off to the public due to health and safety concerns. In 2022 the Tumbling Bay Preservation Society was formed.

Incidents

A 17-year-old youth died while bathing in Tumbling Bay in June 1895. In 2007 the body of a 15-year-old boy was found at Tumbling Bay, after falling into the River Thames in Port Meadow. In 2010 a 29-year-old man, Daniel Lewis, died while swimming at the spot.

See also

References

  1. ^ Fell, Vanessa (August 2021). "Tumbling Bay Bathing Place" (PDF). Oxfordshire Gardens Trust Research & Recording Group. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  2. ^ "Man who died on Oxford river swim named". BBC. 3 June 2010. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  3. ^ Ffrench, Andrew (29 June 2024). "Swimmers share happy memories of Tumbling Bay in city". This is Oxfordshire. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  4. ^ Crossley, Alan; Elrington, C R, eds. (1979). A History of the County of Oxford: Volume 4, the City of Oxford. London: Victoria County History.
  5. ^ Alden, Edward Cox (1926). Alden's Oxford Guide.
  6. ^ Blyth, Eleanor (14 July 2022). "Wild swimmer tells of her experience of swimming across Oxford". This is Oxfordshire. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  7. ^ Salter, John (1881). The River Thames: A Guide. Oxford: John Salter, University Boat House. p. 17.
  8. ^ Ffrench, Andy (20 May 2024). "Tumbling Bay was one of city's best outdoor bathing locations". Oxford Mail.
  9. ^ Rose-Jones, T (2019). "Tumbling Bay, Oxford Archaeological Watching Brief Report". ADS. doi:10.5284/1089552.
  10. ^ Rice, Liam (4 November 2021). "Tumbling Bay pool closed by council due to 'health and safety issue'". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on 25 November 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  11. ^ "Wild - Tumbling Bay". wildopenwater.com. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Bathing Fatalities". The Lancet: 1616. 22 June 1895.
  13. ^ "Drowned boy's death 'accidental'". BBC. 18 July 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  14. ^ Hearn, Dan (10 June 2010). "Man dies at Tumbling Bay" (PDF). Oxford Times. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
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