Turkish baths
in the British Isles
still open to the public, or to members of clubs:
1. England
PLEASE NOTE …
that this list includes only Victorian and Victorian-style Turkish baths (as defined in the
Introduction to the website). Such baths circulate heated dry air through one or more hot rooms. The list does not include sauna, banya or Russian (steam or vapour) baths.
Some Victorian Turkish bath establishments have later added such facilities, but they are not part of the Turkish bath process itself.
There are currently eleven Victorian and Victorian-style Turkish baths still open in the British Isles.
Eight of them are in England (only
one of which was built during Queen Victoria's reign);
the three Scottish baths are all Victorian-built.
A LITTLE FURTHER
AFIELD …
there are also
five Victorian &
Victorian-style Turkish baths (as defined in the Introduction to the
website) normally still open in Europe, of which
three were built in
Victoria's reign. They are listed, with links to their websites,
here.
KEY
A Edinburgh
B Glasgow
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The map and the table below were last revised on 30 November 2024 Opening times and the designation of sessions (as being for men, women, couples, mixed, or naturist) change frequently, so this guide gives addresses, phone numbers and, where applicable, websites only.
You should also note that even though establishments may not have closed down permanently, they may close from time to time for repairs or 'refurbishment'.
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HARROGATE Turkish Baths & Health Spa Parliament Street HG1 2WH (01423) 556 746 Victorian |
The cooling-room Sessions: men, women, and mixed. Naturist sessions are organised by the independenty run Harrogate Turkish Baths Naturists Group |
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LONDON: Islington Ironmonger Row Baths 1 Norman Street EC1V 3AA 0203 642 5520 |
The cooling-room Sessions: mixed. |
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LONDON: Tower Hamlets York Hall Leisure Centre Old Ford Road E2 9PJ 0208 980 2243 |
Refurbished Turkish baths Sessions: mixed, women. |
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LONDON: Westminster The Porchester Centre Queensway W2 5HS 0207 313 3858 |
The hot rooms SSessions: men, women, and mixed. |
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LONDON: (Members' Club) Royal Automobile Club 89-91 Pall Mall SW1Y 5HS |
The Turkish bath, and all other club
facilities, are only available to Members of the Royal
Automobile Club. |
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NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE The City Baths Northumberland Road Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8SG (0191) 261 7207 |
The cooling-room Sessions: mixed, women
only. |
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NORTHAMPTON Mounts Baths Leisure Centre Health Suite Upper Mounts Northampton NN1 3DN (01604) 838 333 |
The plunge pool Sessions: men, women, mixed, over 50s, families
Full details of times on their
website,
though not headed Turkish baths. |
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SWINDON Health Hydro Milton Road SN1 5JA (01793) 616 396 Oldest extant Victorian Turkish bath establishment anywhere, now in its second building, which is Edwardian |
Window in original women's bath Sessions: men, women, and mixed. |
Tony Garratt, who suggested identifying the Turkish baths which were Victorian;
Dave Hewitt, for finding two baths which had eluded me for over nine years!
Ian Tresman, for his idea of the general location map;
Tony Zimnoch, for help in updating the page.
Ceri Owen, for help in updating the page.
Victorian Turkish Baths:
their origin, development, and gradual decline
Comments and queries are most welcome and can be sent to:
malcolm@victorianturkishbath.org
The right of Malcolm Shifrin to be identified as the author of this work
has been asserted by him
in accordance with the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
© Malcolm Shifrin, 1991-2023