We have already seen that in different parts of London, especially in the areas north of the Thames, there were several sources of thermal water that were once considered good for health and often with almost magical powers, able to heal almost all imaginable diseases.
For example, we talked about the Kilburn Baths. The thermal phenomenon was particularly fashionable in the 1700s when a well or a spring also became an important meeting point.
Near the church of St. Pancras, which is now nearly fully covered by St. Pancras station, there was once a spa that, during the latter half of the 1700s, was rumoured to be able to heal leprosy, scurvy, and any and all disorders that affected the skin. After paying the hefty entrance charge, visitors were granted the opportunity to relax in the expansive garden, sip tea, and take part in a variety of dances as well as eat their meals outside during the warm summer months.
As was the case with earlier endeavours of a similar nature, the success of the Baths of St. Pancras only lasted for a brief period of time until they were forced to close their doors. But for a period of time, these establishments served as vital hubs for London society’s socialising and entertainment needs.
