Move over cold swimming – the latest wellness trend sweeping the UK is Nordic sauna culture.
Once reserved for luxury hotels, a more down-to-earth sauna experience is being kickstarted by pioneers across the nation. Whether it's by the beach or even in a forest, the number of outdoor saunas has sky-rocketed in recent years.
- Britain's best lidos and sea pools
- Britain's best surfing beaches revealed: where to catch the perfect wave
- Britain's best beach campsites
Integral to Nordic life, people visit sauna from a young age. As well as a way of warming up on chilly days and connecting with others, there are plenty of reported health benefits: including boosting circulation; reducing stress; and lowering blood pressure. However, always consult a health professional if you're unsure whether you should use a sauna.
Take a look at our list of the best outdoor saunas in the UK.
Best outdoor saunas in the UK
Tŷ Sawna, Gower, Wales
Head to the beautiful Gower Peninsula – specifically Oxwich Bay – and you'll find two wooden barrel saunas perched on the beach. Tŷ Sawna is made up of one barrel that seats 8 people, and another that seats 10. Both are powered by wood-burning stoves, so you may have to brush up on your fire-starting skills.
Beach Box, Brighton
Choose from one of Beach Box's three saunas on Brighton beach. If you don't fancy walking across the pebble beach, then you can also cool off in the chilled steel tub, plunge pool, or slipper bath.
The team have also opened a horsebox sauna in Battle, East Sussex, in an ancient woodland, if you'd also like to take part in some forest bathing after your sauna.
Sawna Bach, North Wales
Sawna Bach run two locations which have equally impressive settings: a beach sauna at Porth Tyn Tywyn, Anglesey and a lakeside sauna at Llyn Padarn, Llanberis. The latter is particularly well-placed if you're visiting Eryri (Snowdonia) to tackle Yr Wyddfa (Snowdown) and has incredible mountain views.
Ocean Soul Sauna, Bude, Cornwall
When it comes to cooling off at Ocean Soul Sauna, choose between the Blue Flag Crooklets Beach or Bude sea pool (a short walk away at low tide). As the beach is popular with surfers, it makes a great spot to sit and watch the world go by for a while.
HotBox, County Derry/Londonderry
This portable sauna can be found at either Bayble Beach or Port of Ness Bach, so make sure to double check where you make your booking!
Whichever location you choose, you'll be surrounded by breathtaking scenery whatever the weather.
Saltbox Sea, Isle Of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
You'll find HotBox's Benone Sea Sauna on Benone Strand – a 7 mile stretch of white sand beneath the National Trust's Mussenden Temple in County Derry/Londonderry.
After your sauna, grab a coffee or food at the nearby cafes, or book in a session with the local surf school or riding stables.
Orchard Sauna, Bristol
For a sauna with a difference, head to Bristol's Orchard Sauna. As the name suggests, it's based in the orchard of Windmill Hill City Farm. Rather than dashing to the sea, cool down in a chilled plunge pool – with one kept at around 10°C and the other around 4°C. It's also connected to the electrical grid, so no need to keep the firewood topped up.
Sea Sauna, Saunton, Devon
Set on the 3 mile-long stretch of sand behind the UNESCO-protected Braunton Burrows Biosphere Reserve is Sea Sauna.
The wheeled sauna is right on the beach, and a tinted window means you can gaze out to sea in privacy.
Communal sessions, private sessions and silent sessions can be booked.
Sauna Box, Norfolk and Suffolk
Sauna can also be found on the beautiful beaches of East Anglia, if you know where to look. Sauna Box has two locations: Sheringham and Dunwich. Private and community sessions can be booked, as well as full moon and new moon sessions.
If you're looking for a permanent sauna experience, Sauna Box also build Finish-style saunas in its workshop in Eye, Suffolk – specialising in horsebox sauna conversions.
Haar Sauna, Shetland
Haar Sauna's site at St Ninian's is the UK's most remote sauna – at 60 degrees north. Tucked behind the dunes, if you look out to the clear Atlantic waters you may spot some seals – even orcas have been spotted far out in the bay.
There's also a site at Brae, and others are coming soon at Scapa beach in Orkney and Lerwick.
Elie Seaside Sauna, Elie, Fife
Born out of the local sea swimming community, Elie Seaside Sauna aims to bridge the gap between Scottish and Nordic cultures. It has two sites – Dune Sauna and Shore Sauna – near Elie harbour. As it's founder, Judith, is a qualified yoga teacher, gentle, seated 'sauna yoga' sessions can also be booked.
She has also opened the St Andrews Seaside Sauna by Fife’s Coastal Path.
- Best wild swimming spots near London
- Best walks near London: Escape the city and explore beautiful scenery, from enchanting woodlands to breathtaking coastlines
Hackney Wick, London
Those in the capital can still enjoy the benefits of sauna, as Community Sauna Baths run several sites across London, often set within community gardens.
Head to Hackney Wick, Stratford, Bermondsey or Peckham, or keep an eye out for when its Camberwell and Walthamstow locations open. All have a packed events calendar and optional add-ons.
Sauna & Sea, County Derry/Londonderry
Head to the National Trust-owned Porthstewart Strand in County Derry/Londonderry for Sauna & Sea, which is on a 2 mile-long stretch of golden sand.
Porthstewart is also the starting point for the 33-mile-long Causeway Coast Way to Ballycastle, and the nearby Bann Estuary is a brilliant spot for waterfowl and wading birds.
Main image: Ocean Soul Sauna / Keiran Hammond
Discover more