Where the Clacton Pier Dolphinarium was and is today
This is where the dolphins & whales held their shows on Clacton Pier,
these ariel photos were taken in 2006 and you can still see that some of the dolphinarium still remains today.
The concrete seating can still be seen around the outside of the arena, the green area in the photos
was part of the pool where the dolphins put on their show.
In 1932 the swimming pool was opened on Clacton pier and was the first pool in the country to be
built over the sea. On the 1st August 1971 the pool was closed and turned in a dolphinarium, the
original swimming pool was the subject of falling receipts and high running costs.
The dolphinarium was a permanent summer attraction run by owner Michael Goss and dolphin
trainer and expert Reg Bloom.
Reg Bloom was a former curator of Flamingo Park and Chester Zoo, he also opened dolphinariums
in London and Majorca.
Mr Bloom also helped design and build the dolphinarium in Windsor Safari Park.
to be 30 years old. The lobster was not hooked but entangled in Mervyn's line, the catch was such
a rarity that it was given to the aquarium on the pier & Reg looked after it and put in on display in
a tank alive for all to view.
Reg nursed the shot pelican at his home as it had injuries to its bill & wings, after a week they
were both reunited again at the Clacton Dolphinarium.
They escaped from Antwerp, Belgium, one was found on Great Holland Marshes and the other
with the gunshot injuries was found at Little Oakley.
