Work to improve historic Turkish Baths underway
Restoration work to protect and enhance the Health Hydro's historic Turkish Baths is now underway, marking another important milestone in the wider refurbishment of this much-loved Victorian facility.
Published: Thursday, 20th November 2025
Thanks to investment from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, specialist conservation teams are beginning work to improve the roof of the Turkish Baths Relaxation Room. This essential phase will safeguard the structure, prevent further water ingress and ensure the interior can be fully restored and upgraded in a future stage of works.
Phase one works to transform the main entrance, gym, changing rooms and plant areas are nearing completion, while the improvements to restore the Turkish Baths will take longer – meaning the baths will not reopen along with the fitness area, changing rooms and main pool in early 2026.
Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “The Turkish Baths are absolutely iconic, which is why it’s important we take the time to do this refurbishment correctly. Ensuring the roof is weatherproof and secure will be key to making improvements to the interior possible
“I’m sad that the baths won’t be reopening along with the gym and the pool, but we’re working hard on funding and refurbishment plans to reopen them as soon as possible.”
Swindon Borough Council has now received planning permission for a second phase of works that will focus on the main pool and include improvements to the ventilation, accessibility and environmental performance of the main swimming area, alongside further conservation and restoration work.
While funding for this is yet to be secured, the Council is working hard to identify funding options.
Barnaby Rich, Swindon Partnership Manager at GLL, the charitable social enterprise that operates the Health Hydro added: “We are very supportive of Swindon Borough Council’s efforts to restore and revitalise the Health Hydro and the phased approach to what are complex renovations.
“Restoring the roof of the Turkish Baths Relaxation Room is an important first step, which will then enable interior works to take place in due course.”
With the phase one works finishing imminently, the Health Hydro will reopen to the public early in 2026. More details will be shared by the Council and GLL soon.