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Paddling Pool Collection

From Barry Island to Bude, paddling pools have been a summer staple since the 1930s

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: La toilette de Vénus, 18th century. Creator: Francois Boucher

La toilette de Vénus, 18th century. Creator: Francois Boucher
La toilette de Venus, 18th century. The toilet of Venus

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Diane et Actéon, between 1635 and 1640. Creator: Michel Dorigny

Diane et Actéon, between 1635 and 1640. Creator: Michel Dorigny
Diane et Acteon, between 1635 and 1640. Diana and Acteon. Goddess of hunting and her nymphs. Diana, leaning on a rock, holds an arrow and wears a tiara with the symbol of the moon

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing

District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing
District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. [USA]

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing

District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing
District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. [USA]

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing

District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing
District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. [USA]

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing

District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. Creator: Harris & Ewing
District of Columbia Parks - Children At Fountains And Pools, 1912. [USA]

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Barry Island, Wales, August 1938

Barry Island, Wales, August 1938
View of Barry Island beach, Glamorgan, south Wales, summer 1938. The beach is very, very busy with holidaymakers enjoying the sunshine and lounging in deckchairs

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Mark Gordon cools off from the summer sun in his paddling pool. 28th June 1976

Mark Gordon cools off from the summer sun in his paddling pool. 28th June 1976

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Summerleaze Bathing Pool, Bude, August 1930

Summerleaze Bathing Pool, Bude, August 1930
A view of Bude sea pool at Summerleaze Beach soon after it opened in 1930. Children are enjoying the paddling pool and main pool whilst adults watch on from the rocks

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Hook a duck JLP01_11_54042_06

Hook a duck JLP01_11_54042_06
Laing Sports Ground, Rowley Lane, Elstree, Barnet, Greater London. Two young children playing a hook a duck game at the Kids Count family fun day at the Laing Sports Club

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Children playing in a garden, Ming dynasty, 1368-1644. Creator: Unknown

Children playing in a garden, Ming dynasty, 1368-1644. Creator: Unknown
Children playing in a garden, Ming dynasty, 1368-1644. Formerly attributed to Zhou Wenju

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Children of Alexandra Day Nursery near Loch Lomond, Scotland cool off in a portable

Children of Alexandra Day Nursery near Loch Lomond, Scotland cool off in a portable swimming pool on a hot summers day. Here four year old Patricia Dunn lets the boys under her parasol to get some

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Children of Alexandra Day Nursery near Loch Lomond, Scotland cool off in a portable

Children of Alexandra Day Nursery near Loch Lomond, Scotland cool off in a portable swimming pool on a hot summers day. Here four year old Hamish McCallum has a bucket of water poured over him by

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Boys Bathing, c1911. Artist: Philipp Franck

Boys Bathing, c1911. Artist: Philipp Franck
Boys Bathing, c1911. From The Studio Volume 52. [London Offices of the Studio, London, 1911]

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Childrens Corner and New Bandstand, Bournemouth, Dorset, c1920s

Childrens Corner and New Bandstand, Bournemouth, Dorset, c1920s

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Family scene on hot summer day in garden, with children playing in paddling pool

Family scene on hot summer day in garden, with children playing in paddling pool, parent reading book, and cottage-style house in background

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Children play with toy sailing boats in Dartford park. 24 August 1937

Children play with toy sailing boats in Dartford park. 24 August 1937

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Toddler and his trike in the water. 1933

Toddler and his trike in the water. 1933

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: A boy watches the swans in Dartford park. 24 August 1937

A boy watches the swans in Dartford park. 24 August 1937

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Little boy plays with a trike in the water. 1933

Little boy plays with a trike in the water. 1933

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Toddler trying to ride his trike in the water. 1933

Toddler trying to ride his trike in the water. 1933
Toddler trying to ride his trike in the water.1933

Background imagePaddling Pool Collection: Children play in the paddling pools in Dartford park. 24 August 1937

Children play in the paddling pools in Dartford park. 24 August 1937


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From Barry Island to Bude, paddling pools have been a summer staple since the 1930s. In August 1938, families flocked to Barry Island in Wales, seeking respite from the heat in these shallow waters. Meanwhile, at Summerleaze Bathing Pool in Bude, August 1930 saw laughter and splashes fill the air as children enjoyed their refreshing oasis. Fast forward to June 28th, 1976 - Mark Gordon found solace from the scorching sun by cooling off in his own backyard paddling pool. The Ming dynasty also recognized the joy of water play as depicted by an unknown artist capturing children playing in a garden during that era (1368-1644). Philipp Franck's artwork from c1911 showcases boys bathing with glee, highlighting how this simple pleasure has transcended time. Even Bournemouth's Childrens Corner and New Bandstand witnessed countless giggles and happy memories created around paddling pools during the vibrant 1920s. Not limited to landlocked areas alone, even Scotland's Alexandra Day Nursery near Loch Lomond embraced portable paddling pools for their little ones' enjoyment. These scenes epitomize childhood summers filled with carefree fun and cool relief. Whether it be on sandy beaches or within city backyards, paddling pools have brought endless delight throughout history. So next time you dip your toes into one of these miniature aquatic havens, remember that you're continuing a tradition cherished by generations before us.