Learning to swim

Children on a diving platform at Tumbling Bay. 1950s. © Oxfordshire History Centre.

Many people learned to swim in Oxford's waterways.

Schools brought children to learn swimming, diving and lifesaving skills at the City bathing places.

Listen to the audio clips below to hear Jenny, Andrew and Pat recall how they learned to swim in Oxford.

Learning to swim at Tumbling Bay (Jenny Holloway).

Learning to swim at Temple Cowley (Andrew Brough).

Passing the 10-yard test at St Clements (Pat Hanks).