#TurkishBaths
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victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 14 November 1859, the world's only #TurkishBaths to be owned by a Co-operative Society was opened at Church Lane, with the help of the #Rochdale Pioneers & David Urquhart's Foreign Affairs Committees. Managed by secularist Joseph Jagger. victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... 🗃️ #C19th
November 14, 2026 at 10:14 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 15 November 1867, George B Coggan opened #TurkishBaths in Commercial Rd, #SheptonMallet, after plan to float a company failed. Cooling-room, 2 hot rooms, douche & (later) plunge, chiropody & dental services. After his 1874 retirement, baths remained open till at least May 1876. 🗃️ #C19th
November 15, 2026 at 8:55 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 12 November 1894, #TurkishBaths costing £506 10s. 6d. were added to the Cable Street Baths in #Lancaster. 5 years later, electricity costing £15 (!) was added. Apart from the façade, the baths were demolished in the early 1980s but it is not known when the Turkish baths closed. 🗃️ #C19th
Typographic advertisement from the Lancaster Standard (26 Oct 1894) announcing the opening of the Turkish baths. Initially open only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, there were, nevertheless, two classes of bathers. According to the time of day, they were charged 2/- or 1/-. Some time after the baths closed, the façade was dismantled and, piece by piece, with painstaking numbering, it was put aside for incorporation into the entrance to the new Sainsbury’s store to be built on the site afterwards. For more about the baths, see: https://www.lostlidos.co.uk/1998/06/06/lancaster-baths-cable-street/
November 12, 2026 at 8:39 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 10 November 1965, one of the last Victorian-style #TurkishBaths to be built was opened at the Derby Public Baths in #Blackpool by Lord Derby. His grandfather should have opened the swimming pools in 1939, but the war intervened. They were closed and demolished in 1990. See ALTs 🗃️ #C19th
Exterior of the baths with a sign on the canopy reading TURKISH & REMEDIAL BATHS. The Turkish baths comprised three hot rooms, showers, shampooing room and cooling-room. In addition there were two steam (vapour) rooms and two saunas. This photo shows part of the cooling-room with its 27 cubicles, each with couch and wardrobe. In the background is the entrance to the showers. The spacious shampooing room with five marble slabs and (unseen) basins, together with needle showers. Two Aeratone baths, with a hoist for disabled bathers. See also: https://victorianturkishbath.org/F0GLOSSARY/SFglossPages/Aeratone_w.htm
November 10, 2026 at 8:38 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 9 November 1861, Mr J Wilson opened #TurkishBaths at 15 English Street, #Downpatrick, Ireland. Little is known about them apart from what is in the advert announcing their opening. The town may have been too small to support them for they seem to disappear from view after 1863. 🗃️ #C19th
Typographic advertisement in the Downpatrick Recorder (9 November 1861) announcing the opening of the Turkish baths. Details opening hours for men and women, and charges for different times of day ranging from 1/3d down to 6d. In the ladies bath, children under 10 were charged at half price, and those under 4 were admitted free. Shampooing cost 3d. extra. [The baths were not, of course, open on Sunday.]
November 9, 2026 at 9:52 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 8 November 1884, Alfred Butler Clarke is thought to have opened #TurkishBaths in Gladstone Road, Scotholme, #Nottingham. Men's & women's sessions. Physician attended daily. With medicated, vapour, electric & hot & cold slipper baths. Like many others, closed around start of WWI. 🗃️ #C19th
Cut of an axonometric drawing of the exterior of the baths heads an advertisement in the Nottingham Evening Post (19 June 1886) for the baths in their second year, after a swimming pool had been added. Detailed list of opening times, charges, etc.
November 8, 2026 at 9:41 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 1 November 1929, #Glasgow Corporation opened two Victorian-style #TurkishBaths at Elvan St, Shettleston (closed c.1971—about which little is known), & Calder St, Govanhill (Closed 2001 despite intensive protests). Govanhill Community Trust aims to re-open as a wellbeing centre. 🗃️ #C19th
Exterior of Govanhill Baths in 1920 Plan of Govanhill Turkish baths Sign reading, "COSTUMES MUST BE WORN IN THE TURKISH SUITE AT ALL TIMES"—installed some time after the baths opened. Exterior of Shettleston baths, after closure.
November 1, 2026 at 10:09 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 1 November 1860, the 1st Class section of the Donegall St #TurkishBaths in #Belfast opened. Early morning & evening 1/6d—10.00 am to 4.00 pm 2/6. Children under 10 half-price; under 4 free. The baths adjoined the working class baths in Little Donegall St. Closed 1937—demol. 1939 🗃️ #C19th
Ad from local directory. Today's Victorian Turkish Baths don't allow anyone in under 18 years of age, let alone offering half-price for children under ten!
November 1, 2026 at 9:59 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 29 October 1891, #Tunstall #TurkishBaths were opened, though the swimming pool & slipper baths had opened the previous July. A 1st Class Turkish cost 1/- & 6d for 2nd Class. The baths closed in 2011—Council cost-cutting—though the Turkish baths may have closed as early as 1918. 🗃️ #C19th
Exterior of the baths in 1964 (Photo courtesy Bert Bentley)
October 29, 2026 at 9:51 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 28 October 1884, Nevill's opened their flagship #TurkishBaths in London's Northumberland Ave—with adjoining women's baths round the corner. These baths were frequented by #SherlockHolmes & Watson, #Raffles & Bunny, & #Psmith, as it was by authors Doyle, Hornung, & Wodehouse.+ALT 🗃️ #C19th
Exterior of the building in the 1990s, around 50 years after the baths closed. The entrance to the women's baths is down the passageway behind the pedestrians. More about the baths can be found at https://www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/AtoZEstab/London/NorAv/MEng.htm Ground floor frigidarium with part of 1st floor balcony. A decorative fountain is at the rear behind which three windows overlook the internal passageway between the men's and women's baths (see plan following). Looking up at the decorative ventilator grille leading to a cupola on the roof. Plans of the baths from R Owen Allsop's book 'The Turkish bath: its design and construction' (1890). I have tinted the women's baths yellow to emphasise their size relative to the men's baths. More about these baths at https://www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/AtoZEstab/London/NorAv/FEng.htm
October 28, 2026 at 9:26 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 26 October 1900, the Princess Henry of Battenberg opened the new Diamond Jubilee Pavilion at #Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where the basement included #TurkishBaths with 3 hot rooms, cooling-rm, douche-rm, with vapour, needle, sulphur, electric & other medicated baths. Closed 2000 🗃️ #C19th
Drawing of 1896 for the Diaamond Jubilee Pavilion. The Turkish and other medicated baths would be located in the basement. Image: RCAHMS
October 26, 2026 at 11:03 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 23 October 1873, Hosie's Turkish Bathing Palace opened at 21 Bourke St E, #Melbourne. 3rd (top) storey was for ladies' #TurkishBaths, the 2nd for men's, & the gd floor was for slipper baths on alt days. Cooling-rooms, & hot rms at 100, 135, & 190 °F. The baths closed early 1880s 🗃️ #C19th
Shampooing room at Hosie's in 1877 from the cover of a booklet published about the baths. The water feed for use by the shampooers is an unusual one, there being a flexible hose attached to cold and hot water pipes fixed to the ceiling, each hose serving two shampooers on each side of the room. The address was incorrectly printed and should have been 24 Bourke Street E. The men's cooling-room on the first floor of the baths. From the back of the booklet published by the baths in 1877.
October 23, 2026 at 2:56 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 22 October 1938, #Finsbury MBC opened #TurkishBaths at the Ironmonger Row Public Baths in #Islington (opened 7 yrs earlier). After closure in 2010, re-opened 2012 as part of outsourced much more expensive less multicultural day spa. www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... 🗃️ #C19th
Exterior of the Public Baths. This evocative painting by Suzie Balazs of one of the hot rooms at London's original Ironmonger Row Turkish Baths on a women's day was commissioned by the London Borough of Islington Council. The hot rooms in the refurbished day spa. Just one reaction to the refurbished baths.
October 22, 2026 at 2:08 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 22 October 1932, #Margate Medical Baths were opened by the Town Council, having taken a lease on the #Cliftonville Hydro—including art deco Russian & #TurkishBaths, owned by F J Bobby of the eponymous stores opposite. They were closed early in 1938 "to save a halfpenny rate"
Exterior of the baths shortly after their opening. These two leaded lights with star and crescent decoration were still in position, though rather grubbier, in the 1990s. Two of the art deco-ish hot rooms with standing and seated bathers on a women's day. Note the healthier loose robes rather than tight costumes! The Vichy douche. (Usually) two masseurs or masseuses would massage the bather under hot and/or cold spray showers.
October 22, 2026 at 2:12 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 22 October 1892, Mr Earle Bird opened the Stamboul #TurkishBaths in #Brixton Road, South London. Between 1898 & 1901 they were bought by Henry William Rance who sold them in 1909 to William Coper, the baths becoming part of his new Savoy Turkish baths chain. Closed c.1932. +ALT 🗃️ #C19th
Advertisement from the South Western Star (15 October 1892) announcing the opening of the baths. Image of the baths from front of four-page leaflet. Inside are details of charges and times, and on the back is a calendar for 1905. Advertisement from the Daily Mirror (5 December 1910) showing charges for overnight stays at the five Turkish baths in the Savoy chain. These range from 5/- per night at 92 Jermyn Street to 3/- per night in Brixton. The following year, the price of an overnight stay at any of the, by then, 10 branches was 10/- per night during coronation week. Cropped portion of photographic postcard of the Brixton Road / Coldharbour Lane junction taken sometime after 1909.
October 22, 2026 at 2:16 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 21 October 1884, John Charles Fisher and Duncan Beaumont Wallis opened #TurkishBaths at 121 Cashel Street, #Christchurch, #NewZealand. They closed after 6 weeks due to owners' bankruptcy. A new owner gave way to a 3rd—Robert Hall—in 1885. He was more successful, closing in 1921. 🗃️ #C19th
Advertisement in the Lyttelton Times (21 Oct 1884) announcing the opening of the baths. Advertisement in the Christchurch Star (1 Dec 1886) shortly after the baths had been re-opened by Robert Hall. Includes opening times and charges. Advertisement from an unknown source, probably early 20th century, with large photo of the exterior of the baths. Single storey with apex roof. Two men standing at open door. Glass canopy extending over pavement with sign reading [BATHS] HALL'S BATHS over the three sides. A wall sign with hours and prices to the right of the door. On the right of the photo is text giving opening hours and charges.
October 21, 2026 at 9:21 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 19 Oct 1891, #Hartlepools Bath Co Ltd opened #TurkishBaths in Tower St. Leased to, & managed by Robert Scott. Heated by a Constantine Convoluted Stove, the hot rooms were complemented by 1st & 2nd class cooling-rooms, pine, brine, sulphur, slipper & electric baths. Closed 1952. 🗃️ #C19th
Advertisement in the Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail (15 October 1891) announcing the forthcoming opening of the baths at 4.00 pm on 19 October. The convoluted stove was invented by two Turkish bath proprietors to enable them to separate the clean heated air from the noxious combustion fumes. It soon virtually became the 'industry standard'. For more info see: https://www.victorianturkishbath.org/3TOPICS/aapix/3ccstove_w.htm
October 19, 2026 at 9:26 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 19 Oct 1905, #Camberwell Borough Council opened new Public Baths in Old Kent Road. They included Russian, & Victorian-style #TurkishBaths. The latter were the 1st opened by a London borough—41 yrs after #Bury did so. Open 40 yrs—destroyed in the blitz during last months of WWII. 🗃️ #C19th
Exterior of the baths, with overhanging clock and cupola-topped tower. Plan of the Turkish baths suite from 'Public baths and wash-houses ' by Alfred W S Cross. Designed by architect E Harding Payne, the three hot rooms led off each other, as was often the case, in a more or less straight line. Part of the cooling-room with dressing cubicles on the right, weighing machine and drinking fountain at the rear, and a table and deck chairs in the centre. Shampooing room, with two slabs and basins.
October 19, 2026 at 9:36 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 15 Oct 1882, was born Éamon de Valera, politician & 3rd President of Ireland. During the 1922 civil war he & his followers hid in the #TurkishBaths at the Hammam Hotel, #Dublin. National soldiers shelled it on 5 July but they had already escaped—the Hammam was totally destroyed. 🗃️ #C19th
Éamon de Valera Advertisement for the Hammam Hotel and Turkish bath, Upper Sackville (now O'Connell) Street. Armoured cars outside the Hammam during the 1922 Irish Civil War. Although pounded by rifles, grenades, and machine-guns from 2-5 July, those hiding inside escaped. A few hours after this photo was taken… …the building was completely destroyed.
October 15, 2026 at 5:20 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 15 Oct 1859, Lord Meath opened the #TurkishBaths in #Bray Co Wicklow. Built for William Dargan—the Irish Railway King—& initially run by Dr Barter, they were designed by Dr Barter's architect namesake. Bray was too small to support such large baths which soon closed. Demol 1980 🗃️ #C19th
Artist's impression of the exterior of the baths with a somewhat exaggerated height of the first floor and chimney. Stereocard based on photograph of the baths shortly after the building was completed. One of the two similar ends of the building showing doors for 1st and 2nd class baths, with an additional one for those taking private baths. Mr Richard Barter, RHA, namesake of Dr Richard Barter, was a sculptor and architect who, in the fifteen years between 1857 and 1872, designed and supervised the building of all fifteen of the Doctor's Turkish baths in Ireland and London. * The 3rd image shows the baths after closure when the original brickwork had been covered with stucco. * Recent research has shown that there is no evidence to indicate that Sir John Benson had anything to do with the design of the baths as stated in the 'Dictionary of Irish Architects' & elsewhere.
October 15, 2026 at 5:25 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 13 October 1853, was born the actor and singer Lillie Langtry who visited several #TurkishBaths, and also featured in an advert for the Pilgrim Street Turkish baths in #Newcastle. She may have been to Lord Armstrong's bath at #Cragside with HRH, but we're not absolutely sure. 🗃️ #C19th
Photo of Lillie Langtry advertising the baths, in a letter written in December 1885: "[ I write a line to tell you how much pleased I have been with the way you manage the Ladies Bath.] I attribute my perfect health to the Turkish Bath, which I take twice a week regularly. I find it keeps my skin in excellent condition, notwithstanding the pigments one is unfortunately obliged to use on the stage, and I think for all small ailments the Turkish Baths is the best Doctor to fly to." Photo of part of the entrance to the Pilgrim Street Turkish baths, to the right of Miller's paint shop. Architect James Shotton's plan of the Pilgrim Street Turkish baths. At the bottom of the plan can be seen the doorway from the street (partly shown in previous image). Typical advertisement for the baths giving the opening times, quoting Langtry's letter, and offering refreshments including chops and steaks. Also boasts "The Only Russian Bath in the North of England," though the validity of this claim is unknown.
October 13, 2026 at 10:15 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 12 Oct 1868, the #Brighton #TurkishBaths opened in West Street. Architect, Horatio Nelson Goulty, the secretary, & all original directors of the Brighton Turkish Bath Co Ltd were Freemasons. www.victorianturkishbath.org/_6DIRECTORY/... Closed 1909, becoming the Academy Cinema. 🗃️ #C19th
Certificate No.758 for a £10 share in the Brighton Turkish Bath Company Limited. Drawings of the proposed hot room and cooling-room, with two floor plans. Drawing of bathers standing and seated round the plunge pool in the cooling-room, part of an advertisement for the baths shortly after opening. The exterior of the baths in 1939, thirty years after its closure and conversion into the Academy Cinema.
October 12, 2026 at 7:17 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 3 Oct 1896, William Morris died. Morris, Arts and Crafts movement textile designer, poet, artist, writer, and socialist activist, was a regular frequenter of Victorian #TurkishBaths with his friends Luke Ionides, Philip Webb, & Edward Burne-Jones (who drew these caricatures). 🗃️ #C19th
Morris dressing after the bath. Morris (centre) & Burne-Jones (right). Lying prone, Morris is being shampooed on his back. Lying on his back, Morris is being shampooed.
October 3, 2026 at 1:25 PM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 3 Oct 1870, Dr Richard Barter died aged 68. An Irish physician, he built the 1st experimental Victorian #TurkishBaths at his St Ann's Hydro, realising David Urquhart's 30 yr dream of reintroducing the bath to the Br Isles. Barter associated with 9+ Tbs in Ireland, & 1 in London. 🗃️ #C19th
Dr Richard Barter, shortly before his death, standing next to the entrance to the latest of the Turkish baths built at St Ann's. Portrait bust of Dr Barter by his namesake, the sculptor and architect Richard Barter, who designed all of the doctor's Victorian Turkish baths in Ireland, as well as the one in London.
October 3, 2026 at 11:28 AM
victurk.bsky.social
#onthisday, 3 October 1863, Dr Charles H Shepard added Victorian #TurkishBaths to his hydropathic 'sanitorium' at No.63 Columbia Street, #Brooklyn Heights, #NewYork &, in doing so, opened the first Turkish bath in the USA. www.victorianturkishbath.org/_2HISTORY/At.... The baths closed 1913.🗃️ #C19th
Engraving showing the front of the baths building. Originally the baths occupied only No. 63 Columbia Street (on the left of the building), but in 1867 a new Men's bath was opened next door at No. 65, while the original baths at No. 63 were converted for use by women. Illustrated cover of a booklet, 'Rheumatism and its treatment by Turkish baths' published by Dr Shepard in 1892.
October 3, 2026 at 11:35 AM