London's oldest spa reopens as one of the most affordable in the city

Tower Hamlets Council officially reopened London’s oldest spa at the historic York Hall on 3 April – one of the last remaining traditional Turkish baths in London – following a half a million pound renovation by the council.

Newly branded Be Well the Spa, it’s one of the only council-operated spas in the country, without private companies profiting, and offers some of the most affordable prices in London.

Calling this the “People's Spa", Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman says Tower Hamlets is “making history with this being one of the only spas in the country which is not only owned but also directly operated by a council” with any profits going back into services for residents.

This newly transformed spa provides a modern and relaxing environment, while retaining its historic features, including one of the oldest Turkish baths. The spa offers innovative treatments such as HydraFacial and Elemis therapies, as well as state-of-the-art amenities – including a brand-new infrared sauna, making it one of the first council-owned spas in the country to feature this technology. 

The York Hall spa is joint oldest in London, along with Porchester Spa, which both opened 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.

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.

“We're also making history with this being one of the only spas in the country which is not only owned but also directly operated by the council, without any private company profiting from the service, truly making this 'the People's Spa'.   

“By bringing our leisure centres in-house, we've kept prices low and enhanced health and wellbeing in our community, including providing free swimming.

“I urge other local authorities to follow our lead by bringing the operation of leisure services into public hands to ensure they are run by and for the people, with any profits going back into services for residents.” 

Cllr Mohammed Kamrul Hussain, Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said:

“At a time when many leisure centres and swimming pools across the country are sadly closing, Tower Hamlets is bucking that trend by investing in and expanding access to leisure services, including this state-of-the-art spa.

“Bringing the leisure services in-house is a vital step in addressing longstanding health inequalities in our borough, enabling us to make leisure and sports more affordable and accessible, and also wellness through the ‘People’s Spa’.

“ We’re also making leisure more accessible by offering discounted memberships for public sector workers, students, older adults, those with disabilities, and those receiving benefits.”

Tower Hamlets faces persistent health inequalities, with half of adults either overweight or obese, with women’s life expectancy seven years younger than that of men.

Insourcing the service has enabled the council to enhance health and wellbeing in the community at more affordable prices, and to introduce new schemes to further expand access, such as free swimming for all women and girls aged 16 and over, and all men aged 55 and over, groups which are less physically active in the borough.

New spa memberships are available where existing members of the council-run Be Well leisure service can enjoy unlimited thermal spa access and entry to all six operating leisure centres in the borough. An exclusive spa membership is also available and offers discounted treatments, alongside unlimited thermal spa access and free guest passes.

From just £32.50, non-member guests can enjoy the thermal spa experience at which includes three hot rooms, two aroma steam rooms, a traditional sauna, infrared sauna, ice fountain, monsoon shower, plunge pool, hammam, and a relaxation lounge.

Treatments start at £30, with options like Theragun muscle relief, stress relief massages, paraffin therapy, a coffee full-body scrub, a Dead Sea mineral mud cocoon for £35, Elemis pro-radiance facials for £45.

Be Well The Spa offers a far wider range of concession rates than other London spas, including discounts for public sector workers, older adults, those with disabilities, students and corporates. The spa was closed for renovations after the seven leisure centres in the borough, including York Hall, were brought in-house following the end of Tower Hamlets Council’s contract with GLL in May 2024.

Notes to editors:

Photographs of 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 are available for publication on request, as is the ticket for the opening. Photographs of York Hall building at the time it was opened and interior photos of the historic baths, including of women's slipper baths (first class) and the men's warm baths are also available. Please email communications@towerhamlets.gov.uk to request the photographs and please credit Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives.

York Hall is a Grade II listed building, known for its Victorian architecture and 1920s Art Deco interior – it’s also England’s most famous boxing venue. The renovation has turned London’s oldest spa (alongside Porchester Spa, which opened the same year) into a modern thermal spa, while retaining the traditional Turkish spa, which is one of the last remaining in London. The revamp has also maintained the original blend of the traditional Turkish bath-house aesthetic, including intricate tilework, with the building's distinctive Art Deco design.

Kaynak: towerhamlets.gov.uk