A BEAUTIFUL swimming pool that has been described as “magical” is found inside a former hospital church.
In the London borough of Redbridge, the stunning pool is on the site of former psychiatric hospital, Claybury Hospital, designed by a Victorian architect.
The hospital operated between 1893 and 1997 when it closed due to a dwindling number of patients after the introduction of the NHS.
After that, the estate, called Repton Park, was converted into an estate of luxury flats, parks and of course, a health club.
Virgin Active own the gym on the red brick estate and inside, you’ll find a huge pool in what used to be the on-site chapel.
Inside is a 24-metre pool as well as showers, hot tub and steam room.
What used to be the old confessional box has even been converted into a sauna.
Apart from the fact it’s been filled with water, the church remains the same with huge archways, stained glass windows and vaulted ceiling.
One visitor wrote on Yelp: “When I first entered the pool I was really taken aback and quite mesmerised – it felt a little sacrilegious, but at the same time I very much enjoyed swimming.”
Another wrote: “The pool area is stunning. It feels so luxurious – with it being in a converted church, the original features make it feel magical to go for a swim or use the spa pool.”
While it is open to the public, the pool is accessible to members only, so if you want a dip, you’ll have to sign up.
Another way to experience the pool is if you’re already a member of Virgin Active at another site.
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For anyone keen to take a dip in the pulpit-turned pool, Virgin Active members can redeem a guest pass to access a different club to their usual.
You get two guest passes when you first sign up and three every year on your birthday – so make sure to check this one out.
Inside the gym, there are huge five-metre windows with an arched red, gold and pale blue ceiling.
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They also hold spin sessions, pilates and yoga, and one-on-one classes with instructors.
For anyone feeling peckish or fancying a green juice after their workout, there’s also a cafe with all-day breakfast offerings and protein smoothies.
As for Repton Park, the estate is a popular spot for celebrities.
Jeremy Clarkson, Lily Allen, Kate Moss, Patsy Palmer and Simon Webbe were all said to have lived there at one point.
It’s also a popular stomping ground for Arsenal and Spurs footballers.
We’ve also revealed the UK’s highest infinity pool that has the ‘best views in Europe’.
And here is a tucked away holiday park that looks more like a five star hotel.
[boxout headline=”This Heated Lido Is In The Middle Of London” featured-image=”34007544″ intro=”This outdoor pool is next to a popular London tube station… “]There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool in central London that gets missed by most tourists.
Less well-known than other lidos in London like Brockwell Lido, London Fields Lido and Tooting Bec Lido, the Oasis Sports Centre is arguably a quieter place to visit on a hot summer‘s day.
Located on Endell Street, the Oasis Sports Centre is just a five-minute walk from Covent Garden Tube Station. Despite being in the heart of central London, the outdoor swimming pool isn’t well-known among holidaymakers.
Known only to locals and lido enthusiasts, the outdoor pool stretches for 27.5m and is heated throughout the year. Because it is set inside a sports centre, there are other facilities at the central London lido too, including an indoor pool and gym that operates a range of classes.
There are also three squash courts, a sauna, and a large rooftop terrace on the site.
