Where you can still 'Take a Turkish' in the UK. 1: ENGLAND

Turkish baths still open to the public,
or to members of clubs

 

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PLEASE NOTE …

that this list includes only 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 Turkish bath establishments do include such facilities in addition to the Turkish bath, but they are not part of the process of taking a Turkish bath.

The total number of remaining Turkish baths was last revised on 01 September 2011 when sixteen Victorian style Turkish baths were listed as still being open in the British Isles. Thirteen of these were in England, two of which were built during Queen Victoria's reign. 
 

                  

Opening times and the designation of sessions

(as being for men, women, couples, mixed,  or naturist)

change frequently so this guide

gives addresses and phone numbers 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.

SCOTLAND

This table was last revised on 01 September 2011
BIRMINGHAM
Erdington Baths
Mason Road
B24 9EJ

(01214) 640 520

      

Caldarium and laconicum at Birmingham
The two hottest rooms

Full details of times, prices, and much else on their  website

Naturist sessions are organised every Thursday by the independent TESS club who should first be contacted at 0775 127 6755
CARLISLE
Victorian Health Suite
James Street
CA2 5AZ

(01228) 625 777

Looking towards the hot rooms, Carlisle
Looking towards the hot rooms

Sessions: men, women, and mixed

Full details of times, prices, and much else on their  website

DONCASTER
St James Pool & Health Club
72 Waterdale
DN1 3BU

(01302) 323 000


Sessions: men, women, and mixed

Full details of times and prices on their website.
HARROGATE
Turkish & Sauna Suite
Crescent Road
HG1 2RR

(01423) 556 746

Victorian

 

Royal Turkish Baths, Harrogate: cooling room
The cooling-room

Sessions: men, women, mixed, and mixed pairs

Their excellent website has further information, and a new section on the history of the spa

Naturist sessions are organised by the independent Coast & Country Naturists who can be contacted, between 8.00 am and 8.00 pm on (01723) 503 456 

LONDON: Islington
Ironmonger Row Baths
Ironmonger Row 
EC1V 3QN

0207 253 4011

Ironmonger Row Turkish Baths, London
Painting: Suzie Balazs, for Islington Council

The baths are currently closed for refurbishment, a closure which, unlike many others, promises to 'restore and refurbish the historic Turkish Baths with an expanded spa area, enabling [the provision of] a much greater choice of facilities'

Full further details, see their website
LONDON: Tower Hamlets
 spa LONDON
 York Hall Leisure Centre
Old Ford Road
E2 9PJ

0208 709 5845

spa LONDON
One of the refurbished hot rooms

Sessions: men, women, and mixed

Full details of times, prices, and much else on their website which includes the  Turkish baths  on the page headed Thermal Spa
LONDON: Westminster
The Porchester Centre
Queensway
W2 5HS

0207 792 2919

Cooling room and plunge at Porchester Centre
The (very) cold plunge pool

Full details of times, prices, and much else on their website (If you can find it!!!!)
LONDON 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-ON-TYNE
City Pool Turkish Bath
Northumberland Road
NE1 8SE

0191 232 1981

Women's day in the cooling room at Newcastle-on-Tyne
Resting in the cooling-room

Sessions: men and women

Website with Turkish bath times  (If you can find it!!!!)

Occasional naturist sessions are organised independently by the Three Rivers Outdoor Club. For details, see their website

NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME
Jubilee Pool
Nelson Place
Newcastle-under-Lyme
ST5 1HG

(01782) 616 606


Plunge pool

Sessions: men, women, and mixed

See the pool's website for opening times of their health suite which includes a Turkish bath and a steam room amongst its facilities.

Naturist sessions are organised by the independent 
Potteries Swim Club. Full details of times, prices, illustrations, and much else on their website
NORTHAMPTON
Mounts Baths
Leisure Centre Health Suite
Upper Mounts
Northampton
NN1 3DN

(01604) 636 003
(01604) 635 221

Sessions: men, women, mixed, over 50s, families

Full details of times and prices on their website.

Naturist sessions are organised by the independent
Northampton Sun Club:  (07855) 162 947

ROCHDALE
Central Leisure Centre
Entwistle Road
OL16 2HZ

(01706) 639 194

Photo: Courtesy of Rochdale Council

Sessions: men and women

Full details of times on their website

SWINDON
Health Hydro
Milton Road
SN1 5JA

(01793) 465 630

Victorian

Stained-glass window, Swindon Health Hydro
Window in original women's bath

Sessions: men, women, and mixed

Full details of times and prices on their website.

Details of naturist sessions: 07989 190938 or
(01242) 233 852
 

SCOTLAND
Thank you!
Tony Garratt, who suggested identifying the Victorian Turkish baths above;
Dave Hewitt, for finding two baths which had eluded me for over nine years!

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