The Gothic church converted into a gym with a huge swimming pool and a sauna in the confessional

London is one of the must-visit destinations when thinking about traveling to England. The British capital offers a wide range of tourist attractions that will captivate you on every visit. One of the most surprising is located in the east of the city: the Virgin Active Repton Park gym.

This is a sports complex that was built on the site of the chapel of a former, important psychiatric hospital . The most impressive part of the experience is that you can swim while observing many of the original elements of the Gothic religious building that remain to this day.

Gymnasium with Victorian Gothic style

The Redbridge district is home to Virgin Active Repton Park, a space that was originally the London County Lunatic Asylum, where major psychiatric specialty hospitals operated between 1893 and 1997. It was later converted into a luxury development surrounded by parks, apartments, and a health club.

Virgin Active has installed a gym in one of these health complexes. They chose a Victorian Gothic chapel to house a 24-meter-long heated pool and several exercise rooms.

The gymnasium retains many original elements from what was once the hospital chapel. One of the most impressive spaces is the sauna, located in the area where the priest used to receive confession. A large swimming pool surrounded by Gothic arches and stained-glass windows was built over the former church pews . The sports complex also includes a jacuzzi, gym, and Turkish bath under an imposing vaulted ceiling.

How can I visit the Virgin Active gym?

It's important to note that, like most gyms, a membership is required to use the facilities. Currently, they have plans available for all ages, from children to seniors.