CREATE are doing so many cool things in London at the moment and the most recent is the new Barking Bathhouse that opens a little later this month.

CREATE has commissioned Something & Son, those people behind FARM:shop in Dalston, to design and build the new bathhouse that will focus on wellbeing. The Barking Bathhouse will benefit from experiments in the latest in design, health and beauty ideas to help people feel happy and relaxed during what will no doubt be one of the most hectic periods in London’s history.

So if you are already totally tired of hearing about anything five ring related then The Bathhouse is probably the place for you where you can hide away, pamper yourself and forget about what’s going on outside.

The Bathhouse will open on 27th July in Barking town centre offering affordable spa treatments as well as a free social space for people to meet. The project is one of the Mayor’s Outer London Fund projects being delivered for Barking and Dagenham Council.

Within the Barking Bathhouse will be a spa with a bar, where visitors will be able to sip healthy cocktails under a canopy of growing cucumbers and sunbathe in seaside-inspired pebble bays. After soaking up vitamins and being pampered with a variety of treatments –using produce grown by local allotment gardeners – visitors will be able to sweat it out or cool down in a traditional wooden sauna or a cold room with a pioneering ‘dry ice’ chiller. The purpose-built design of the Bathhouse is inspired by 20th century working men’s bathhouses, ultra modern spas and Barking’s industrial heritage.

One thing the Bathhouse won’t have however contrary to its name is a pool or any hot tubs in an effort to be green and energy conserving which is all well and good but we do love a pool.

There will also be classes, talks and events throughout the year here centered around well being and happiness. Subjects range from whether money can make you happy to chocolate making and meditation workshops, laughter yoga, clowning workshops and comedy nights.

Public areas are free at The Bathhouse and treatments can be reserved in advance or ordered on site. The Spa is £8, £2 for Barking and Dagenham residents which is a real bargain and entry to events is only £4 per person.