Hackit Design NeuroInclusive Interior Design
Ladywell Playtower
A long term community asset for Lewisham
Join for updatesWhat we want to achieve
The Ladywell Playtower is a much loved building with a future. Hackit Design wants to bring it back to life as a space where the community gathers, learns, works and feels at home.
Our vision is grounded in NeuroInclusive Interior Design. This means we think carefully about sensory needs, accessibility and wellbeing in every choice we make. The building should work for everyone, whatever your age, background or access needs.
We want the Playtower to be a place where people can come together, share skills, start projects and feel proud of their local area. The best outcomes happen when local people shape what is created.
The story of the site
A landmark building with a long civic history, now waiting for its next chapter.
History and significance
Source Historic England
Ladywell Playtower is a Grade II listed Victorian bath house built in 1884. It is a landmark Gothic structure and one of the country's earliest public swimming pools.
The building originally included first class and second class swimming pool halls and public baths, plus offices, changing rooms and live in accommodation for wardens who would stoke the boilers to heat the premises.
Architectural features include a prominent red brick cylindrical tower, oriel and sash windows and slate roofing. The original brick and stone boundary wall remains at the front of the building. The tower's conical roof was removed in 1907.
The site is rectangular at approximately 3,309 square metres and is arranged around a central courtyard. It sits in the same curtilage as the Coroners Court and Mortuary buildings, approximately 911 square metres. Together these buildings form part of the civic heritage of the area.
Current condition
Source Historic England Heritage at Risk register
The Playtower closed in 2004 and was badly damaged by a fire in 2006. It has since fallen into disrepair and is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk register.
The fire destroyed the rear pool hall, originally the second class pool. The rest of the building remains intact but is deteriorating. The roof was repaired in 2012, but vandalism and water damage remain major problems.
Planning and conservation context
Source London Borough of Lewisham
The site sits within the administrative boundary of the London Borough of Lewisham. Planning policy is contained primarily within The London Plan 2021 and the Lewisham Local Plan 2020 to 2040 adopted July 2025.
The site is within the St Mary's Conservation Appraisal area. Listed Building Consent will be required along with Planning Permission for any development.
Lewisham Council's Conservation Officers and Historic England are supportive of sensitive restoration and re use of the building to enable its removal from the Heritage at Risk register.
The site is also within the Lewisham and Catford Rushey Green Designated Area of Archaeological Priority. Proposals must protect the character of the conservation area and should enhance the existing environment.
The site today
Photographs of the Ladywell Playtower as it stands now. The building has been empty for some time, and these images show both its character and its challenges.
Exterior and grounds
Interior spaces
Photography by SA Stewart. All images show the site in its current condition.
Local labour market snapshot
This snapshot helps partners understand local context. The ONS pilot publication is no longer being updated.
74.0%
Employment rate, people aged 16 to 64 in Lewisham
Year ending December 2023
Down from 83.0% in the year ending December 2022
4.9%
Unemployment rate
Year ending December 2023
Up from 4.6% in the year ending December 2022
13,810
Claimant count in Lewisham
March 2024
Up from 12,115 in March 2023, 6.5% of people aged 16 to 64
19.9%
Economic inactivity, people aged 16 to 64
Year ending December 2023
Up from 14.7% in the year ending December 2022
Source ONS pilot publication. This dataset is no longer being updated and is labelled as such.
Health and wellbeing snapshot
This snapshot helps residents and partners understand local health and wellbeing needs and why community led support matters.
29%
Lewisham residents aged 16 and over reporting high anxiety levels
ONS Annual Population Survey, 2020 to 2021
Up from 24% London and 24% England averages
8%
Adults in Lewisham with a recorded diagnosis of depression
GP Quality and Outcomes Framework, Lewisham Health and Care Partnership
Higher than the London average of 7.1%
6 to 13%
Older people in Lewisham who feel lonely often or always
Lewisham Council, Safer Stronger Communities Select Committee
Estimated range for residents aged 65 and over
78.8
Male life expectancy in years in Lewisham
Lewisham Health and Care Partnership, Local Care Plan
Below the national average of 79.4 years
1 in 5
Children aged 8 to 16 in England with a probable mental disorder
NHS Digital, Mental Health of Children and Young People Survey, 2023
Up from 1 in 8, 12%, in 2017
Sources ONS Annual Population Survey, NHS Digital, GP Quality and Outcomes Framework, Lewisham Health and Care Partnership Local Care Plan, Lewisham Council. Figures are the most recent published at the time of writing and may be updated by the publishing bodies.
Why mental health healing helps people thrive
Mental health is not separate from everyday life. When people are carrying chronic stress, trauma, loneliness or burnout, it can affect sleep, concentration, confidence, relationships and physical health. That makes it harder to keep work, stay in education, manage a home and feel connected to community.
Healing is possible when support is practical, consistent and rooted in dignity.
- Safe, welcoming spaces reduce stress and help people feel settled
- Strong social connection protects wellbeing and reduces isolation
- Early support prevents problems escalating into crisis
- Inclusive environments help neurodivergent and disabled residents participate fully
This is why the Ladywell work focuses on community led design and wellbeing through NeuroInclusive Interior Design.
If you live locally, share your ideas and tell us what would make the space feel safer, calmer and more supportive.
How the public consultation works
There are several ways to take part. You can start here and visit the full consultation on Commonplace.
Share your ideas
Tell us what matters to you using the form on this page.
Join the conversation
Visit the Commonplace consultation to see more ways to take part.
Help shape the design
We will use community input to guide the design options we share back.
Consultation sessions in person or online
Our co design sessions take place either in person at agreed local venues or online. You can choose the option that works best for you.
•Breaks built in and clear prompts for different ways to contribute
•Access needs, sensory needs and communication preferences supported on request
•Book a place through the Ladywell project page or the Commonplace consultation
Project news and updates
We share updates from the Ladywell Playtower Commonplace consultation. Each item shows where it came from so you can see the source clearly.
Commonplace consultation feed
The Ladywell Playtower Commonplace page is where the community shares comments, ideas and feedback. We surface key updates here with a visible source reference.
Source Commonplace Ladywell Playtower
Visit the Commonplace feedPartner with us
Are you a charity, social enterprise, wellness organisation or community group? We are building a consortium of partners to bring the Ladywell Playtower to life.
Sign up as a partnerJoin for updates and ways to help
Stay connected with the Ladywell Playtower project. Choose what you would like to hear about and how you would like to be involved.
The Ladywell Playtower co design website is designed and maintained by Hackit Design. Hackit Design retains all design rights to the website, brand and core co design content. Partners receive limited permission to use agreed materials for consortium purposes.
For questions about this website or its content, please contact info@hackitdesign.com