USP Wallow away a few hours in a Turkish bath without having to splash out. There’s a refreshing lack of therapy-speak - no “deep cleansing” or “detoxing”, just folks indulging in the fine art of taking it easy.

AMBIENCE It’s clean, functional and friendly, but not nearly as ornate as the Porchester baths in Bayswater. There’s just one smallish steam room, three hot rooms, a body-scrub area, a couple of showers and a very good, deep plunge-pool. There’s a smoking room as well, with a TV that is usually tuned into the racing on a Saturday afternoon for the serious gamblers.

EXPERIENCE After a swim in the smart 30.5m pool you go into the steam room for as long as feels bearable. Then out for a dip in the freezing cold plunge-pool. This is the best bit of the routine. It’s like an ice-cold beer on a sweltering day. Then there are hot rooms with varying grades of heat to relax in until you’re ready to start again. It also has a wood-panelled rest area with proper beds if you fancy a decent siesta. There are marble slabs available for massage and body scrubbing, which need to be booked.

FOOD An attendant will fetch you herbal tea, toast or a sandwich. Failing that the trendy juice bars of Old Street and Upper Street are just a volcanic pebble’s throw away.

IN CROWD There’s none of this tedious obsession with the “body beautiful”. You’ll find all shapes and sizes here, among them resting actors, taxi drivers, yoga teachers and those whom one might suspect are employed in the black economy (it’s best not to ask).

WALLET WATCH Very reasonably priced (£11, with a fiver deposit for towel hire); massage and body scrubs are extra but affordable, costing from £5 to £50.

NEED TO KNOW Ironmonger Row, London EC1 (020-7253 4011; www.aquaterra.org/islington)

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