Visiting 60 saunas in a month may sound bonkers... but this was exactly what I found myself doing recently.
Why, you might (perfectly reasonably) ask? Well, the answer came in two parts.
The first was that Britain had quietly found itself experiencing something of a sauna boom. Some were even going as far as suggesting ‘sauna mania’ had gripped the nation.
The British Sauna Society, no less, was reporting a trebling of the number of sauna locations – up from 200 to 600-plus in the final six months of last year.
The benefits of sauna culture, it said, are becoming better known. Heat from saunas not only relaxes aching muscles, but also boosts blood circulation and aids the immune system.
Additionally, saunas are places where you might, potentially, make new friends. Good for your social life.
The second part of the answer to why I was embarking on a 60-sauna, month-long quest was more practical. In light of what appeared to be a veritable case of sauna fever, I had been set a task – to write a book about the country’s best saunas.
This was, naturally, a sweaty project. But somebody had to do it – to understand exactly what was going on with this growing national obsession.
The endeavour took me from the sweeping Highlands of Scotland to the pebbles of Penzance in Cornwall, the rolling fields of Norfolk and the rugged wilds of Anglesey.
What I discovered was a nationwide boom that is giving people a new kind of space to socialise while looking after their health. Here are my favourites.
Cambridgeshire calm
Located near Cambridge, PAUS is a family-run establishment perfect for outdoor lovers
A short drive from Cambridge, PAUS is a sprawling outdoor spa that’s perfect for nature lovers.
It’s family-run and set across fields of tall grass and wild flowers, with two red cedar wood barrel saunas and a larger square sauna, facing green, rolling hillsides.
After heating up, cool down by dipping in the cold water tubs. Want to warm up again? Dunk in their heavenly hot tubs that circle the field and can be booked privately or to share with other visitors.
Beyond the sauna, the Barefoot Sensory Trail is a 1km walk in a meadow of grass, and over wood chips, bricks and mud.
Book it: Three-hour ‘bather passes’ from £45.
Naturally Norwich
The Lions Den has two locations in Norwich and Lucie recommends the River Wensum site
There are two Lions’ Den sauna branches in Norwich and my favourite is on the River Wensum.
It was an easy walk from the train station, but I almost missed this secluded spot as it’s tucked away and surrounded by wicker walls.
Entering the cosy refuge felt magical – it was hard to believe this was in a city. Two barrel saunas were in the shade of tall trees by the riverbank.
The staff explained the sauna and cold bath temperatures. They are community focused, charging just £5 for a 30-minute session on Mondays.
Book it: 60-minute sauna plus ice bath pass from £14.50
Healthy in Hackney
In Hackney, you can find seven saunas in the back garden of a 1930s public baths building
London's biggest not-for-profit sauna company, Community Sauna Baths in Hackney, has five branches (the others are in Camberwell, Peckham, Stratford and Walthamstow).
However, Hackney is where it all started in 2021. Aptly built in the back garden of a 1930s public baths building, this is a welcoming space, with seven saunas.
You will hear people squeal on getting doused in cold water after their sauna.
Book it: One-hour from £9.90.
Margate marvel
Margate is home to Sea Scrub Sauna, which offers beautiful views of the ocean
I had not been to Margate since childhood and it was wonderful to return and find this British seaside destination as vibrant as ever.
Arriving by train, I crossed the Promenade to find Sea Scrub Sauna right on the sand. It’s a dinky site with two saunas, an outdoor shower and cold-water barrels, on a dune surrounded by a picket fence.
The real appeal here is gazing out across the water before trotting down to the sea for a dip. Cold water swimming has huge health benefits and this is a salty but invigorating place to try it.
Book it: One-hour slots from £16.
Brighton shock
Beach Box Brighton is made of a circle of saunas located on Brighton Beach
Beach Box Brighton opened in 2018, way ahead of the curve.
Their years of experience shine at this enclave, where repurposed horse boxes, shipping containers and wooden sheds form a circle of saunas on Brighton Beach.
The sea is close enough to brave a dip but I preferred to cool down in the tub of cold water. There are deckchairs to rest on between sauna stints and extras such as body scrubs.
Book it: 45 minutes from £12.50.
Dreamy in Dorset
Saltwater Sauna has four locations in Lulworth, Sandbanks, Avon and Boscombe
Another veteran sauna outfit with three branches in Dorset, the Saltwater Sauna takes the Nordic approach, specially designed to help visitors reconnect with the natural world.
Wood-fired stoves in this sleek double sauna on the dunes between Bournemouth and Poole keep the coals hot all year.
This award-winning venue is best visited in the evening to catch the sunsets.
Book it: 65 minutes for £15.
Hot stuff in Cornwall
Saunassa offers saunas in Newquay, as well as hot tubs and cold baths
You can take your pick from a cluster of saunas by Newquay’s beaches but in the town centre, Saunassa stands out.
In two years, it has become an important community hub where the owners know just about every regular by name.
With mental health stated as a priority, Saunassa provides opportunities for finding moments of calm – whether that’s in the open-air yard full of hot tubs, cold baths and a huge wood-fired sauna, or taking part in a peaceful yoga class in their new studio.
Book it: One hour is from £14.
Lolling in the Lakes
Fellside Sauna has 'one of the most jaw-dropping views of any in the country' according to Lucie
I will use any excuse to visit the Lake District – so when I found it had saunas, I was straight on a train to Oxenholme.
On the banks of Ullswater and with a superb view of Arthur’s Pike, the mountain that backdrops the lake, Fellside Sauna has one of the most jaw-dropping views of any in the country.
I had not previously been a cold-water swimming fan, but after 15 minutes in the sauna, I couldn’t wait to dash down to Ullswater for a swim – the best bathing experience of my trip.
Book it: One hour from £19.
Corker near York
Pool Bridge Farm offers saunas just outside of York
Just outside York, this former fishery on Pool Bridge Farm had a rebrand four years ago when the farmers opened their lakes for cold water swimming – hugely popular locally with 13,000 folks getting involved in 2020 and 2021.
On the suggestion of one regular, the first sauna was launched in a repurposed shepherd’s hut.
The gorgeous rugged old structure is just one of the five excellent saunas, all of which have steps down to the waters to swim or just float after a session.
Book it: One hour from £16.50.
Scottish and sassy
Hot Tottie, in Luss, is 'the quaintest sauna' located by a loch
I took the train from Glasgow to Balloch, the closest station to Loch Lomond, and a cab to Luss, a pretty village of stone cottages.
After strolling through the lanes and reaching the loch, I found the quaintest sauna with the sassiest name, Hot Tottie, shrouded by bushes and trees.
The barrel sauna has been perfectly placed so the window perfectly frames Ben Lomond. After relaxing for 12 scintillating minutes, I went for a swim in Loch Lomond – another highlight of my month-long tour.
Book it: One hour starts from £13.
- Britain’s Best Saunas by Lucie Grace, published by Hoxton Mini Press, out now.