This is the last bastion of the one great traditions of East End London: the Working People's Spa. Up until the 1990s there were still several community 'vapour baths' dotted around East London, left over from the days, right up until the 1960s, when most East Enders had no bathrooms of their own. Here the traditions introduced by generations of Jewish, Russian and Muslim immigrant communities, and practised by our forebears in ancient times, of people bathing, washing and relaxing together in the luxury of heat and humidity, flourished. Then by the end of the millennium, local councils' priorities and public tastes had changed and a noble and healthful tradition died.
Except for one last precious example: the New Docklands Steam Baths in Canning Town. It may look uninviting from the outside but that is part of its charm. Here for £16 you can spend a whole day relaxing in a no-frills (who wants frills in a steam room anyway?), good-natured, old-fashioned, blokey (on men's days) and completely unique environment, where Jews, Muslims, Russians, Lithuanians, Ukranians, black, white, old and young chill out together in easy peace and good humour.
If you feel shut out, or intimidated by the regulars, as some might, the secret is to just make yourself known and be friendly - start a conversation, you will soon make new friends.
NDS should receive the Nobel Peace Prize for showing how people of all creeds can relax together in the common pursuit of chilling out! read more