The Bath House - Banya London

There’s no gym at The Bath House but you’ll leave feeling so fresh and invigorated you might not need one! One of Eastern Europe’s oldest and most popular wellness rituals, not only does a banya boost your immune system, it improves your circulation, aids muscle relaxation and expels toxins through the skin.

Serious about sport? Numerous athletes claim regular visits to a banya helped them increase their training volume and intensity, allowing them to perform to a higher standard. 

But if all this wellness has put you in the mood for some activity, there are plenty of ways to get your steps up. St James's Park, Hyde Park and Green Park are all nearby, with paths just waiting for you to jog, stroll or power walk.

There’s nothing like sweating out toxins and plunging into ice water to really work up a thirst and an appetite. Luckily, delicious food and drink are as much a part of the banya experience as time spent in the steamy sauna!

Food and drink have always been an important part of the banya experience. In fact in the past, people visited the banya to bathe before an important celebration or feast. At The Bath House - Banya London, in-house chefs work hard to keep the old traditions alive, serving dishes and drinks that have been most closely associated with the banya throughout history. It really is a feast for all your senses!

Rehydrate with herbal tea or classic drinks such as kvas (a fermented drink similar to kombucha, but made by fermenting rye bread) or kompot (a sweet drink made with boiled fruits). Pickled cucumbers, tomatoes, and other vegetables make a delicious and healthy snack. They call it ‘soleniya’ at The Bath House, and it tastes great with traditional charcuterie and a glass of beer. 

Buckwheat, which is high in protein and fibre, is a popular alternative to rice and pasta in Eastern Europe. At the Bath House they serve it with pozharskaya kotleta (a chicken cutlet). But you can also drink it as a pot of warming buckwheat tea.

Fill up on borscht (beetroot soup), blinis (pancakes) or try traditional cured salmon, called molosolni losos at The Bath House. For dessert, you can’t miss the heavenly Ukrainian honey in their signature medovik cake. 

In years gone by, vodka was traditionally served at the banya. To honour this tradition, The Bath House serves shots of Staritsky Levitsky vodka, distilled in the Ukrainian city of Lviv.

Eating and drinking is one of the things that gives the banya its unique social quality and it’s a tradition that they aim to maintain at The Bath House. The Russian/Ukrainian menu here is punchy, fun and flavoursome, and comes in substantial portions. You won’t go hungry! 

The Finnish have their sauna and the Turkish their hammam. Banya is the traditional Russian steam bath experience, and it’s still very important in Eastern European culture to this day. Public bath houses were somewhere to go with friends or family to relax and unwind, with rituals, hot steam and cold water. And, of course, delicious food and the odd vodka or two.

As a quintessentially Slavic experience, a trip to the banya is a must-do when visiting Eastern Europe. But there’s no need to go that far to get your banya fix. The Bath House honours all these time-honoured traditions, right here in the capital.

A very fetching felt hat is an integral part of the banya experience. Banya hats prevent your head from overheating, and keep the air temperature around your head at a comfortable level, allowing you to tolerate the heat of the steam room for longer, thereby maximising the health benefits of banya.

Although they’re not included with your spa package, they are available to buy or you can bring your own!

Water baby? There’s no pool at The Bath House - Banya London, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be getting wet! The steam room has about 30% humidity, and there are cold plunge pools and ice bucket showers to enjoy (or endure) afterwards.

Swimwear is essential if you’re here on a ‘mixed day’ which takes place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. For men-only sessions on Tuesday and women-only sessions on Thursday, swimwear is optional.

You’ll be given a towel, bath sheet and flip-flops, while traditional banya hats (which keep your head cool) are available to buy. You’re also welcome to bring your own towels, flip-flops, banya hat, robe and toiletries like shampoo and conditioner if you wish.

No, there’s no accommodation on offer at this traditional bath house. But because a visit here puts you in the heart of central London, you can take your pick from a number of hotels, from the budget to the bank-breaking, close by.

Once changed into your swimwear and wrapped in your sheet, you’ll find your table in the lounge - one will have been reserved for you as part of your package. Then head to the steam room - you’ll hear it called ‘parilka’ or ‘banya’ because the words are interchangeable. Sit back, warm up and let the heat detoxify and rejuvenate you.

When you’ve had all the heat you can handle, it’s time to cool off - that means lowering yourself into the plunge bath, standing under the buckets or just having a cold shower. Next you can have a drink or a bite to eat in the lounge, before hitting the banya again.

If time allows, you might decide to have a treatment. All part of the traditional banya experience there’s the famous ‘parenie’ ritual that sees you being gently pummelled with leaves. Or go for a soap massage, scrub or wrap.

The Bath House can be found in the basement of a former bank, a stunning building behind Buckingham Palace in Belgravia, one of London’s most glamorous districts. In fact the main banya is situated where the money vault used to be!

Very easy to get to as it’s just a five-minute walk from Victoria Station, it puts all of the buzz of central London at your fingertips. Combine your day with sightseeing at Buckingham Palace or Westminster, then indulge in a spot of retail therapy in Knightsbridge.

The Bath House – Banya London was established in 2019 by two banya lovers - Ukrainian national Alexander Lazarev and his British business partner, Robert Procopé. They describe it as a UK business devoted to promoting the culture of banya, with staff who come from all over the world, including Russia and Ukraine. 

The business managed to survive the challenges of repeated closures during the pandemic to become one of the top ranked spas in London on TripAdvisor. Robert Procopé said, “Our mission is to educate a wider audience about the numerous benefits of the banya, such as physical and mental health, general wellness and self-care, healthy habits and new ways of socialising.”

Here for a ‘Na razvedku’ spa package? Translated as ‘try it out’, these taster sessions let you discover the sensory delights of banya for two luxurious hours. Trust us, you’ll be hooked! Arrival times are 11am, 1pm or 5pm and you get a table reserved for you and your party.

It is. Children aged 10 and over are welcome to use the spa, and there are even child-friendly treatments on offer.

It is! The Bath House works hard to minimise the use of all resources, recycling, and reusing materials with very little plastic or non-recyclable components. All treatment ingredients are organic and natural, too.

No, it’s a bit too hot for your four-legged friend.