Poplar Baths

Poplar Baths is a listed building on East India Dock Road housing a 25-meter swimming pool, gym facilities, and multiple recreational spaces within its restored structure. The center combines original architectural features with modern amenities for visitors of all ages.

The baths were established in 1852 to provide washing facilities for East End residents following the Baths and Washhouses Act of 1846. In the 1930s, the building underwent major reconstruction and acquired its current form with expanded facilities.

The building includes a theater and events space that has hosted performances and gatherings since its redesign in the 1930s. This room remains a place where the community comes together for entertainment and social occasions.

The leisure center offers structured swim courses through an organized program with separate sessions for children and adults at different times. Visitors should check in advance which classes suit their schedule and whether individual or group sessions are available.

During World War II, the building served several key local services and temporarily housed the borough's electricity office. This shows how important the structure was to local infrastructure and daily life for residents, well beyond its original swimming and bathing purpose.