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.

GB outline map




KEY


A Edinburgh
B Glasgow


1 London
2 Newcastle-upon-Tyne
3 Harrogate
4 Northampton
5 Swindon






The map and the table below were last revised on 12 November 2022

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'.
Do contact the baths first before paying a visit, and check when they are currently open.

HARROGATE
Turkish Baths & Health Spa
Parliament Street
HG1 2WH

(01423) 556 746

Victorian

Cooling-room

The cooling-room

Sessions: men, women, and mixed.
Full details of times, prices, and much else on their impressive website.

Naturist sessions are organised by the independenty run Harrogate Turkish Baths Naturists Group

LONDON: Islington
Ironmonger Row Baths
1 Norman Street
EC1V 3AA

0203 642 5520

Hot rooms

The cooling-room

Sessions: mixed.
Details of times on their website, though GLLBetter makes you search for the Turkish baths on the page.

LONDON: Tower Hamlets
York Hall Leisure Centre
Old Ford Road
E2 9PJ

0208 980 2243

Refurbished Turkish baths

Refurbished Turkish baths

Sessions: mixed, women.
Details of times on their website, though GLLBetter makes you search for the Turkish baths on the page.

LONDON: Westminster
The Porchester Centre
Queensway
W2 5HS

0207 313 3858

The hot rooms © Roger Browning

The hot rooms

SSessions: men, women, and mixed.
Details of times on their website, though EveryoneActive makes you search for the Turkish baths on the page.

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.
The facilities are NOT available to subscribers to RAC motoring services which are now operated by a company entirely separate from the Club.

NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE
The City Baths
Northumberland Road
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
NE1 8SG

(0191) 261 7207

Cooling-room 

The cooling-room

Sessions: mixed.
Temporarily closed for maintenance. See their website.

NORTHAMPTON
Mounts Baths
Leisure Centre Health
Suite
Upper Mounts
Northampton
NN1 3DN

(01604) 838 333

Plunge pool

The plunge pool

Sessions: men, women, mixed, over 50s, families Full details of times on their website, though not headed Turkish baths.
Naturist sessions are organised by the independent Northampton Sun Group: (08707) 654 326   Group website

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

Window in original women's bath

Sessions: men, women, and mixed.
Details of times on their website.
Turkish baths under threat of closure.
Naturist sessions are organised by the independent Swindon Swim & Sauna club who should be contacted before any visit.

Thank you icon

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.

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SCOTLAND

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Victorian Turkish Baths:
their origin, development, and gradual decline

 
 
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©  Malcolm Shifrin, 1991-2023