Porchester Spa - London's oldest Turkish Baths
Jenny UrwinPorchester Spa is a Turkish Baths and part of Porchester Hall, located in the Queensway area of London. It is a Grade II listed building and a great example of 1920s civic architecture. It opened in 1929, during a time when public baths, and the general grandeur of lido culture, were flourishing across the UK.
The Turkish baths within the centre were designed in an ornate, traditional style, drawing on Middle Eastern influences.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Mosaic tiled walls
- Decorative arches and columns
- A sequence of heated rooms, from warm to hot
- Cold plunge pools and relaxation areas
The design was intentional. It wasn’t just about washing, it was about creating an experience that encouraged people to slow down and spend time moving between heat and cold.
Despite the decline of Turkish bath culture in the 20th century, Porchester survived. In 2019, to celebrate its 90th anniversary, the spa underwent a sympathetic refurbishment, restoring the original tiles and aesthetic while upgrading insulation and facilities. It is owned by Westminster City Council and is one of London’s oldest surviving spas.
Getting to Porchester Spa
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The nearest underground station is Royal Oak, which is on the Hammersmith & City line and also served by the Circle line.
London has a great bus service, which I’m quite a fan of, especially if you want to see the city rather than disappear underground.
The closest stops are around Porchester Road, Bayswater, and Royal Oak. These routes will get you within a short walk of Porchester Spa:
- 7, East Acton to Oxford Circus
- 23, Westbourne Park to Liverpool Street
- 27, Chalk Farm to Hammersmith
- 36, New Cross to Queen’s Park
- 70, South Kensington to Acton
- 452, Kensal Rise to Wandsworth
Entry cost
A session at the spa costs £31.95.
There are treatments available if you want to book (www.porchesterspatreatments.co.uk/book-online-porchester-spa-treatments).
When looking at the website, it can be a little unclear how to actually buy entry. The spa is run by everyonespa.com. You can book online, but you need to create a free day pass account to gain admission. It’s a bit of a faff, but the staff will help you if needed.
You do have the option of just turning up, but please note the admission times:
- Ladies only: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am until 9.30pm (last entry 7.30pm)
- Men only: Monday and Wednesday, 10am until 9.30pm (last entry 7.30pm)
- Mixed sessions: Saturday and Sunday, 10am until 8pm (last entry 6pm)
At every stage, you’re reminded to bring your own towels and 20p coins if you want to use the lockers.
Spending time at the spa
One key thing to notice is that entry gives you one continuous block of time. This is unusual and brilliant. You could arrive at 10am and stay until closing.
While I was there, I saw people arriving with wheely shoppers or even suitcases. Towels, books, and even packed lunches, all prepared for a full day at the spa.
Two things stood out straight away.
Firstly, this is a real community. People knew each other, conversations were happening throughout, and even as a Northerner on my own, I was quickly drawn into chats. It felt welcoming from the start.
Secondly, during the ladies’ sessions, it is very normal to be topless, and in some cases fully nude. This is entirely optional, so don’t let it put you off, but it is part of the environment.
What is available at Porchester Spa?
- Two steam rooms
- Sauna
- Three Turkish hot rooms (Tepidarium, Caldarium and Laconicum)
- Cold plunge pool
- Relaxation area
- Large and small swimming pools
- Café serving light refreshments
My experience at Porchester Spa
Walking up to the building, the first thing that hits you is the 1920s decadence of the architecture. That feeling carries right through the experience.
Walking through the doors, you’re met with large wooden doors leading into the main relaxation area. Wooden deckchairs are spread throughout the room, with lockers lining the walls (remember your 20p). In the centre, a vaulted ceiling opens above the cold plunge pool below.
Having just walked around the Serpentine, I needed to get changed. I had brought my Marine Changing Tube with me, along with a small towel, as I had already used my Warmcor double-sided bamboo velour microfibre terry towel earlier that morning at West Reservoir.
Travelling light meant I only had a small towel with me. On reflection, I would bring two decent sized towels next time. One for throughout your session, and one for a dry option when getting changed to leave. Looking around, it made sense why others had brought larger bags.
Although many of the women there were comfortable with communal nudity, I wasn’t quite there. Maybe if something like this was on my doorstep and I came regularly, I would feel differently. But for now, no.
Thankfully, I had my Changing Tube to hand, which made changing in and out of my Lime Leaves costume much more comfortable. I also used it between hot and cold sessions, when I was lying on the beds reading my book, or having a cheeky little nap.
I can completely see how people spend the whole day there. I was surprised when I checked the time and realised I needed to get going.
The thing I loved most, aside from feeling the history around me, was the communal vibe of the place. Everyone was relaxed, open to conversation, and just comfortable. No wonder it does wonders for your mental health.
It also made me think of my local Carlisle Turkish Baths, which is still closed. Hopefully one day it will reopen, because there really is something quite special about how you feel when you leave a place like this.
Your skin feels softer, your head feels clearer and calmer, and everything just seems to slow down a little. It’s not dramatic, just a quiet reset.
Walking back to the underground station, I felt genuinely good. Warmed through, relaxed, and ready for whatever the rest of the day had in store.
