Turkish bath delight! (Turkish Baths and Health Spa (Harrogate))

Member Name: degsy70

Product:	Turkish Baths and Health Spa (Harrogate)
Date:	24/02/09 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Steam room and plunge pool

Disadvantages: Seeing old men in the buff

Harrogate's popularity as a conference town has seen it grow and grow economically and new buildings crop up by the day (Bill Bryson fans will recall him describing the new Victoria Shopping Centre as a blind architect's success). The stunning Winter Gardens building has been tragically turned into a Wetherspoons and another royal baths room has become a nightclub.

Fortunately some gems have still survived and one of them being the Turkish Baths. Situated at the bottom of Parliament Street (same streets as the famous Bettys tea rooms), the baths are hidden away within the old Royal Baths building.

There are a range of treatments available which I have not tried and therefore can't comment. The main reason for most people going is for the Steam Room and Plunge Pool. Once you have paid and changed (bring your own towel by the way) you make your way to the Steam Room. It is scented with eucalyptus and is great for sweating out the impurities; it is also great if you have a sniffly cold or indeed a hangover! From the Steam Room it is highly recommended that you jump into the Plunge Pool. Yes it is cold but it is part of the revitalising process. You can then wander through the Hot Room chambers which range from mild to extremely hot! I personally don't like the hot room as it's a bit too much for me. The relaxation room is surprisingly calming, you should sit there for at least 30 minutes to totally relax, if you leave immediately you will probably get dizzy when you get outside into the cold air.

You can find the times on their website but I would recommend going midweek if you can as it will be quieter. There are 3 sessions available, Male, Female and Mixed. It is important that you book onto the right session, in other words, if you turn up to a mixed session on your own you won't get in, and yes it has to be a male and female together. There is nudity in the steam rooms and hot rooms during the none mixed sessions, nudity is strictly prohibited during the mixed session.

Off Peak (Tues) = £11.50
Peak (Sat & Sun) = £17.20
Other = £14.20

It's worth a visit if only to see the renovated baths themselves, the marble arches are quite spectacular. Personally I find it a fantastic getaway from the hussle and bussle of daily life.

Give it a go!

Summary: Great relaxation and hangover cure