London’s oldest spa reopens following £500k revamp

What is believed to be London’s oldest spa, located at the historic York Hall, has reopened following a £500,000 investment from Tower Hamlets London Borough Council.

The newly-branded “Be Well the Spa” in Bethnal Green is one of the last remaining traditional Turkish baths in London and one of the only council-operated spas in the country.

Formerly called York Hall Spa, the facility is joint oldest in London, along with the Porchester Spa, with both opening their doors to the public in 1929.

Photographs from the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives show the original opening of the historic public baths and washhouses in 1929 by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), alongside then Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. The council’s investment has seen the site retain its historic features, including one of the oldest Turkish baths.

Facilities include a thermal spa with three hot rooms, two aroma steamrooms, a traditional sauna, infrared sauna, ice fountain, monsoon shower, plunge pool, hammam and a relaxation lounge. The spa offers a range of modern treatments, provided by suppliers such as HydraFacial and Elemis.

Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “I’m delighted that we’re reopening the historic York Hall spa, home to one of the last remaining Turkish baths in London, and to offer this as one of the most affordable spas in the city. This is also one of the only spas in the country which is not only owned but also directly operated by the council.”