Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool

“Cold water therapy, anyone?” a student joked, shivering slightly as they dipped a toe into the Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool. This seemingly ordinary pool, nestled within the tranquil Fellows’ Garden of Christ’s College, holds a secret. The Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool may be the oldest outdoor pool in England. Its history stretches back to the mid-17th century. Imagine Cambridge in the 1600s, a town grappling with disease. Clean water was a luxury. This very pool, originally known as the Fellows’ Bathing Pool, was fed by Hobson’s Conduit. This 400-year-old watercourse brought fresh water into the heart of Cambridge. You might recognize the name Hobson from the phrase “Hobson’s choice”. By the early 2000s, the pool had fallen into disrepair. The once-clear water had become murky and green. A fundraising campaign breathed new life into this historic pool. It reopened in 2010, renamed in honor of Malcolm Bowie, a former Master of Christ’s College. Now, students and staff enjoy the revitalized Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool from May to September. It’s a popular spot on warm days, a refreshing escape from academic pressures. During exam season, the poolside transforms into a haven for “Tutors’ Tea”. Students gather for a much-needed revision break, enjoying snacks and conversation with their tutors. And then, there’s the tradition. After their last exam, students in the same subject take a celebratory plunge, fully clothed, into the Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool. A chilly tradition, but a memorable one. So, next time you pass by the unassuming entrance to the Fellows’ Garden, remember the hidden gem within. The Malcolm Bowie Bathing Pool, a testament to centuries of Cambridge history, offering refreshment, tradition, and perhaps, a bit of a cold shock.