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Lidos are one of the iconic building types of the 1930s. In England there are only thirteen that have been listed, of which Ipswich's Broomhill Pool was listed Grade II in 2001.

Designed by the Borough Engineer Broomhill Pool is absolutely unique. Today it is the only moderne 1930s building of this quality in the region. For over 60 years Broomhill was a safe environment to play and relax; an important social meeting point; a melting pot for all ethnic backgrounds: youth, elderly, families, disadvantaged, fitness enthusiasts and serious swimmers.

Vast on every scale: over 50m long, 8 lanes wide, 15 feet deep, a large separate children's pool, grandstand for 700 people (affording views across all western Ipswich), lawns at the entrance, an art deco style buffet, and then finally the five diving boards each a metre higher.

The measurements meant nothing, the sheer scale spoke for itself ! Broomhill was alive on a multitude of senses. You could hear the pool before you got there - a mass correlation of joyous chatter and delight. Your anticipation rose as you entered the modern style entrance and turnstiles towards the iron railings. Against a lush woodland backdrop of the park, you were hit with a powerful stark white stadium, contrasting against epic skies. Light danced and dazzled mesmerically on the cobalt blue pools.

The position of the lido was a natural sun trap and the sun terraces radiated heat. Broomhill Pool was built in 1938 as a heated outdoor pool. The water was maintained at 70F allowing extended seasonal opening. However, the boilers were requisitioned for the war effort in 1941. Thereafter the water was notoriously cold in the spring. Everyone had their way to enter the water; ladies would tip-toe, arms and hands waving like Hawaiian dancers. Children would literally run straight in, and the teens would pose then enter from top board. Broomhill was - and can be again - a social melting pot, a place to make friends for life, fall in love, relax, play in safety (outdoors !) and keep fit. It also had a fine heritage.

The lido is actually built within Broomhill Park, being the original site of Ipswich Town Football Club (who played their games there from 1878 to 1888 before moving to Portman Road). Broomhill Park was sold to the borough in 1925 by the Sherrington family. Sir Charles Sherrington was educated at Ipswich School, lived in the town and became a Nobel Prize winner in Medicine