Harrogate Turkish baths Archives

Did you know there’s a hidden Spa Room in Harrogate’s Turkish Baths?

Everyone knows about the Victorian Turkish Baths in Harrogate, but did you know that there’s more rest and relaxation to be had in the somewhat secret Spa Room?

An overview of the baths

Harrogate is known for its Turkish Baths: visitors and residents alike have flocked to them since 1897. Indeed, residents of Harrogate are lucky to live in a town that still has Victorian baths – only seven that date back to the 19th century remain today. The baths are run by Harrogate Borough Council.

What’s it like to visit the Turkish Baths?

(Image: Harrogate’s Turkish Baths)

The baths are a place where you can fully immerse yourself for a few hours of total relaxation with no phones allowed.

Visit the steam room, the three hot rooms that gradually increase in heat all the way up to 70 degrees, the cold invigorating plunge pool to dip into between the rooms – or swim if you’re brave enough, as well as a rest area, and winter garden lounge where you can order food and drink.

This is all to the backdrop of impressive ornate Moorish-style décor, Italian mosaic terrazzo floors, walls of vibrant glazed brickwork and arabesque painted ceilings.

But where’s the hidden Spa Room in the Turkish Baths?

(Image: Spa Room – David Lindsay, photosbydavid.co.uk)

Tucked away around the corner inside the main Turkish Baths, there’s a Spa Room that features a Jacuzzi, aromatherapy steam room, foot spas and cold bucket shower that not many people are aware of.

It can either be booked in conjunction with a Turkish Baths session to extend the time you’re at the Turkish Baths, or it can be used before or after a treatment.

It costs just £10 for 1.5 hours and up to six people can use the room.

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Harrogate Turkish Baths nude ban: police probe ‘ongoing’

North Yorkshire Police has said an investigation into “inappropriate behaviour” at Turkish Baths Harrogate is ongoing.

Harrogate Borough Council banned nude bathing at the Victorian baths last week after it received a complaint.

Until the decision, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.

But the council, which runs the venue, made swimwear compulsory for all sessions without consulting users following the complaint.

In a statement, it said the complaint was of a “serious nature”, adding:

“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”

North Yorkshire Police confirmed today it was looking into the matter. A spokesperson said:

“Police received a report of an incident of inappropriate behaviour at the Turkish Baths earlier this month. Enquiries are at an early stage and are ongoing.”

The baths opened in 1897 and with its restored Moorish design is one of Harrogate’s premier attractions.

Harrogate Turkish Baths bans nude bathers

Swimwear has been made compulsory for all sessions at Turkish Baths Harrogate following a complaint to the police.

Until this week, clothing was optional at two single sex sessions for men and women each week. It is compulsory at mixed sessions.

But a spokesperson for Harrogate Borough Council, which runs the Victorian venue, said:

“Following a complaint at Turkish Baths Harrogate, an operational decision has been made that swimwear is now compulsory at all bathing sessions.

“The complaint related to an incident which due to its serious nature has been reported to the police and is currently being investigated.

“We have a duty of care to our customers and staff members, and in order for all single sex sessions to operate in a safe environment, it has been decided that swimwear must be worn until further notice.”

The Moorish design

The council issued the statement after a bather, who regularly attends men-only sessions unclothed, alerted local media to the change.

The person, who asked to remain anonymous, said recent attendees of single sex sessions received emails yesterday informing them of the change with immediate effect, with no consultation.

He also pointed out the ‘bathing etiquette’ section on the Turkish baths’ website had been amended to say ‘swimwear is compulsory at all sessions (including single-sex sessions)’.

The person said the majority of people at male-only sessions preferred not to wear clothes because they found them uncomfortable.

He added he would monitor the situation in light of the complaint to see whether the unclothed option was reintroduced.

The baths, which has Islamic arches and screens as part of its Moorish design, opened in 1897 and have been fully restored with a plunge pool, steam room and sauna as well as rooms of various temperatures to relax in.