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London’s Victorian Bathhouse: A Secret Building in the City

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most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture

A local’s visit to the secret Victorian bathhouse in London, a building with unique architecture close to Bishopsgate, Liverpool Street and the City of London!

I love walking around London and coming across strange places; architecture, history and art techniques like stained glass have something on me I cannot explain for the life of me – I am just passionate about all things of the past.

As I was walking around Liverpool Street and Bishopsgate one day, making my way to the City of London, I stepped into the churchyard to St Botolph Without Bishopsgate and came across a quirky hidden gem with an Arab/Turkish vibe.

I took some time to do some research about the place as I was walking around it, and discovered it was called the Victorian Bathhouse, a very unique building only minutes from Liverpool Street Station.

Colorful, with stained glass, even brickwork and carvings, it instantly became one of the my favorite places in the City of London.

London’s Victorian Bathhouse: A Secret Building in the City

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The Victorian Bathhouse is located in the Bishopsgate Churchyard, close to Liverpool Street Station and the City of London.

Like many beautiful old sites I’ve shown you around London, the bathhouse is a Grade II-listed building – designed by architect G. Harold Elphick, it opened in 1894-95.

What makes the Victorian Bathhouse one of the quirkiest hidden gems of the city is its colorful Moorish details and colorful stained glass; you wouldn’t imagine there’s such a spot two steps away from the modern City of London buildings.

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The interior once featured sunken marble baths, stained glass, gold fixtures and colored tiles.

The original baths, with a mix of Turkish and Victorian art, were originally strictly for men and closed in 1952 due to rising operational costs.

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Later repurposed, the Victorian Bathhouse turned into a restaurant, nightclub, and is now an events venue under the name ‘Victorian Bath House’, run by Camm & Hooper.

Since it’s a heritage site, do keep an eye on heritage tours or festivals, such as Open House London to see when the Victorian Bathhouse is open to the public for visits.

London’s Victorian Bathhouse Photo Gallery

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most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture
most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture
most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture
most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture
most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture
most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture

London’s Victorian Bathhouse: A Secret Building in the City

most secret places in london victorian bathhouse photos history near st botolph bishopsgate church - unique places to visit in london off the beaten path - things to do near liverpool street and city of london - most colorful places in london aesthetic architecture

Although it’s quite difficult to get a glimpse of the inside of London’s Victorian Bathhouse, its exterior still is a must-see in my book.

I’ve found lots of gorgeous places in the City of London and close by while on my walks; the Earthing sculpture in Aldgate neighbors an old Roman Wall site, and you’ll also find plenty of secret churches there.

One example would be my recently-reviewed St Giles Cripplegate church close to Barbican, a wonderful medieval church with a view of the Barbican Centre and its artificial lake.

The nearby church, St Botolph Without Bishopsgate, is one of the oldest churches in the area, and the Victorian Bathhouse is located right on its grounds – do pay it a visit to admire its architecture!

Then, when you’re done, you could keep going with historical sites and secret gardens.

These include places like Mark Street Gardens in Shoreditch, the St Alphage Church ruins in the City, or while not check out the Ackroyd Drive Greenlink close to the Tower Hamlets Cemetery, near Mile End?

We’re not too far, and you’d been keeping in line with a glimpse into London’s history – you could even start with a full breakfast at Grounded in Aldgate nearby, or in their bigger branch in Bow!

Victorian Bathhouse London
Address: 7-8 Bishopsgate, Churchyard, London EC2M 3TJ
Website: Spaces Stories