Harrogate Borough Council

Turkish Treatments

Turkish Baths
Complementary & Alternative
Beauty
Germaine de Capuccini
Comfort Zone from Italy
Day Packages

Contact the Turkish Baths

Phone: 01423 556746
Fax: 01423 556760

Harrogate Turkish Baths and Health Spa
Royal Baths
Parliament Street
Harrogate
HG1 2WH

Where are we? ... map.

Useful Links

The Spas Directory

Victorian Turkish Baths

Harrogate & the Yorkshire Dales

Nidderdale
Make the most of your visit and discover more fantastic places to visit in Harrogate & the Yorkshire Dales.

Our History

The Turkish Baths are an integral part of the history of the Royal Baths, but also of Harrogate, which developed as a spa town after the discovery of the first medicinal springs in 1571.

Richard Ellis (Mayor of Harrogate 1884-87), having succeeded as a builder, then went on to devote himself to public affairs in Harrogate. Ellis' last great scheme was the promotion of an international quality bathing and hydrotherapy centre, which became the Royal Baths, as we know them today. It is fortunate for Harrogate that Ellis had a formidable successor in the dynamic Charles Fortune (Mayor of Harrogate 1893-95) who steered the scheme to completion.

Build by Baggalley and Bristowe of London at a cost of £120,000 the Baths were formally opened in 1897, by HRH the Duke of Cambridge. In addition to the Turkish Baths, more than a dozen other types of bath, douche or treatment were available, together with a full complement of consulting doctors. A Turkish Bath cost 3 shillings and a massage 2 shillings.

The Baths' Moorish design with great Islamic arches and screens, its walls of vibrant glazed brickwork, the arabesque painted ceilings and terrazzo floors (imported from Italy) all add to its historic fantasy qualities. During its peak, the facility was frequently graced by the presence of Royalty, politicians and aristocracy alike, and more recently, by producers and film-makers wishing to use its captivating beauty in film and pop videos.

In 1894 Princess Alix Hesse and her sister, Princess Victoria of Battenburg, came and amused themselves by racing their bath chairs through the streets of Harrogate, and it was said, that on any morning during the spa's season, it was possible to hold a cabinet meeting in the Pump Room, so many ministers visited the great treatment centre.

The First World War brought social change, when middle-income earners became the new customer. Harrogate was the only Spa in England to make a profit during the wartime years.

With the exception of the Turkish Baths, all facilities had closed by 1969 as modern approaches to treatments were introduced alongside the further development of the National Health Service.

From 1970 the Baths have formed part of Harrogate Borough Council's Leisure Services and like many large Victorian buildings, the Royal Baths were in need of a major cash injection. After many unsuccessful attempts to market the building, a development was agreed with Scottish Life in the late 1990s. This partnership has seen £10m invested in the Royal Baths building.

Photograph of the Turkish Baths restoration work

Phase 1 of the Turkish Baths development took place in 2002. An extension created a new entrance to the Baths, seven additional treatment rooms and a spa pool room. A covered atrium also formed a link between the Baths and the treatment rooms allowing access to the latter without disturbing customers using the Turkish Baths. In June 2004 the second and final stage of re-development saw the total restoration of the Turkish Baths with a grant awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund of £447,500 and a further £139,200 contributed by Harrogate Borough Council.

Lesley Durbin, Head Conservator with the Jackfield Museum, led a team of four on the restoration of the glazed bricks, and was amazed that just 1% needed replacing. All the glazed bricks in the dry areas were perfect. The major work was undertaken in the wet areas where moisture reacts with the salt in Harrogate's water. Lesley discovered that Wedgwood manufactured the tiles in the Plunge Pool. These have been replaced with new fully vitrified tiles. The conservation team noted that the tiles surrounding the top of the pool were hand-made. Moulds were taken and new hand-made replacements are now in place. Repairs to the mosaic floors replicated techniques used by the original Italian craftsmen. Photograph of the Turkish Baths listed Toilet

Photograph of the Turkish Baths listed Toilet

Specialist decorators researched the original decoration and have carefully restored the stencil designs using handcrafted templates. The refurbishment also included replacing modern lights, basins and WCs - with the exception of one original toilet, which remains because it is listed along with the building!

Today the Turkish Baths offers relaxation from the fast and often stressful pace of life. Visitors come from all over the world to see one of England's last working Victorian Turkish Baths facilities in our famous Spa town.

Treatments:

1898

Intestinal Lavage Treatment:

This treatment was so successful that a new block was built purposely to meet demand. The two-way continuous irrigation system was used in case of colitis, constipation and for intestinal problems.

The Peat Baths:

This treatment was much prescribed. Needle Baths were used not only for removing peat, but also acted as a skin tonic. The mineral for these Baths was obtained from the Yorkshire Moors containing organic acids and iron. The Baths were used to treat rheumatism, sciatica, circulation, back and pelvic disorders.

2004

Monticelli Mud Detox:

Rather than lay in a bath of peat, today's mud treatments are applied directly to the body followed by the body wrap to maintain the body's heat. Once the wrap is showered off, the float bed is offered to complete the treatment. The mud used today is sourced from many different countries.

Picture Archive

Phone: 01423 556746
Harrogate Turkish Baths and Health Spa, Royal Baths, Parliament Street, Harrogate HG1 2WH