The idea of wellness is as old as civilisation itself. From the communal bath houses of ancient Rome to the intricate Turkish hammams and the opulent spas of 19th-century Europe, homegrown remedies, bathing and natural medicine have long been considered a source of rejuvenation, healing and connection.
Those characteristics aren’t things you’d immediately associate with London, with its fast-paced lifestyle and non-stop energy. But the city is laden with relics of its wellness history, from multiple Victorian bath houses that have now been repurposed, through to the ancient ruins of Roman spas in Billingsgate.
Today, the capital’s spa hotels are vital in creating respite from hectic city life, but the hidden tales and histories behind them provide yet another reason to book yourself in for a pampering spa day. Housed in buildings with storied pasts, with wellness programmes reflecting the heritage of their settings, these are the ultimate spas in and around London, with some serious stories to tell.
© James Merrell
The Lanesborough
Perched near Hyde Park Corner, The Lanesborough is an incredible example of Regency-era elegance, with an incredible story rooted in science meets wellness. James Lane, the second and last Viscount Lanesborough, built Lanesborough House in 1719. After his untimely death in 1724, a group of four ambitious doctors took over the lease and turned it into a hospital in 1733. One of those doctors was the radical and controversial John Hunter, known for challenging the status quo of the medical community.
By 1825, the house was in a poor state. Respected architect William Wilkins, best known for designing the National Gallery, was commissioned to redesign the building in Greek revival style, and the property continued as a hospital. Its notable employees included Henry Gray, the author of Gray’s Anatomy (1858), a quintessential medical bible, and Florence Nightingale, the first British female hospital Governor of St George’s. It continued as a hospital until the late 1970s, when it was moved to a bigger location in Tooting (where it currently stands).
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