Lifestyle Reporter: Amy Everett

The Barking Bathhouse is experimenting in the latest design, health and beauty ideas with a new spa set to open from the start of the Olympics for two months, providing affordable spa treatments as well as a free social space for people to meet.

The brainchild of Something & Son design company, the Barking Bathhouse will combine 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 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 try a cold room with a ‘dry ice’ chiller.

The Bathhouse also runs a varied events programme – from philosophical talks to chocolate-making workshops, plus laughter yoga, clowning workshops and comedy nights, its ethos is to cultivate happiness and wellbeing.

The purpose-built design of the Bathhouse is inspired by 20th Century working men’s bathhouses, ultra modern spas and Barking’s industrial heritage.

Public areas are free. Treatments can be reserved in advance or ordered on site, and will run from 20 July – 16 September 2012.

For more information visit Createlondon.org

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