British Wellness Seekers Are Flocking to Saunas Across the UK as Science, Social Connection and Nordic Traditions Drive a Nationwide Heat Revival

Walk into a sauna and the warmth hits before anything else does.

Stones, heated by electricity or a crackling wood stove, radiate intense heat that can climb close to 100°C. Ladle water over them and the room briefly fills with thick steam.

Most people stay put for ten to 20 minutes, then cool off with a shower or cold plunge before heading back in.

It’s a rhythm that’s been second nature in Nordic countries for generations.

From Nordic Habit to British Obsession

What used to feel distinctly Scandinavian is now firmly taking root in the UK.

But this time, it’s not about holiday memories or cultural curiosity.

The modern British sauna boom is being fuelled by health promises — better hearts, deeper sleep, calmer minds.

Wellness culture has embraced the sauna as the latest “must-do,” and people are listening.

The Influencer Effect

A big reason saunas have gone mainstream is the way science is being packaged and shared online.

Dr Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford and host of the hugely popular Huberman Lab podcast, has been one of the loudest voices.

With millions following his advice across YouTube and Instagram, he’s reframed sauna time as something far more than indulgence.

Why Scientists Are Paying Attention

Huberman often calls sauna bathing “passive cardio,” pointing to long-running Finnish studies that track thousands of people over decades.

Those who used a sauna four to seven times a week showed dramatically lower risks of fatal heart attacks, cardiovascular disease and even dementia compared with once-a-week users.

The figures are eye-catching — reductions of around 50 to 60 per cent.

How Heat Mimics Exercise

Doctors are careful to note that most of this research is observational, not experimental.

Still, there’s a plausible explanation. Heat pushes the heart rate up and widens blood vessels, improving circulation and lowering blood pressure — effects similar to moderate exercise, but without the physical effort.

Even a single session can create short-term benefits.

A Wellness Trend With Staying Power

This science has helped saunas explode across Britain.

The British Sauna Society reports that Finnish-style public saunas in the UK increased more than fourfold between early 2023 and late 2025.

The rise sits neatly alongside other lifestyle shifts, such as falling alcohol consumption and a growing focus on recovery rather than excess.

The Social Side Nobody Expected

Unlike many modern wellness habits, saunas aren’t solitary.

Traditionally, they’re shared spaces where friends and families sit together.

With little clothing and no distractions, social barriers melt away.

Heat also encourages the release of oxytocin, sometimes called the bonding hormone, which may explain why people leave feeling unexpectedly connected.

Not a Fad, but a Fixture

As research continues and respected voices keep backing the benefits, saunas are shedding their image as a luxury extra.

They’re increasingly viewed as a practical, evidence-informed addition to everyday health — and one that’s surprisingly social.

The Expert Who’s Tried Them All

Dr Maria Pasholok-Korolkova, associate professor at the University of Greenwich, has visited more than 100 saunas while researching a book on their rise across western Europe.

Below are her ten standout spots in Britain for melting stress away.

1. Banya No.1, Chiswick

From £55 for three hours, this Russian-style sauna is a favourite.

The steam is soft and deeply humid, helping to open airways and hydrate skin.

The signature pareniye ritual uses bundles of birch, oak or eucalyptus to circulate fragrant steam, followed by a cold dip that snaps you fully awake.

2. Saela, Newcastle

At £16 for an hour, this Nordic sauna seats ten and comes with three outdoor plunge pools at 4°C, 8°C and 12°C.

The colder the water, the tougher the challenge — and, potentially, the bigger the payoff for mood, muscle recovery and metabolism.

3. Røvar at Monachyle Mhor, Lochearnhead

For £10 an hour, trade a plunge pool for a Scottish loch.

Set in wild surroundings and open Friday to Sunday, this sauna pairs heat with raw nature.

Booking ahead is essential — and worth it.

4. Wilderness Lochside Sauna, Glencoe

Costing £39.95 for an hour, this private Finnish sauna sits amid dramatic Highland scenery.

A cold plunge pool and outdoor shower offer a gentler way to cool down, making it ideal for couples or solo visitors seeking calm.

5. Divers Cove, Surrey

Just £12 an hour gets you access to a barrel sauna beside a former sand quarry turned reservoir.

It’s perfect after wild swimming, and there’s even a nearby pizza stall using local ingredients and fermented dough.

6. Beach Box, Brighton

At £25 for 90 minutes, this seaside sauna pairs intense heat with an icy dip in the English Channel.

The mineral-rich salt water is said to support skin and immunity — if you can bring yourself to get in.

7. ARC Community Sauna, Canary Wharf

From £29 for 70 minutes, ARC is built for busy professionals.

Short sessions and a heavy focus on ice baths — jokingly called “growth opportunities” — make it more clinical than cosy, but highly effective.

8. Porchester Spa, Paddington

For £30 an hour, you can soak up a century of London bathhouse history.

Opened in 1925 and refurbished in 2025, Porchester retains its iconic green tiles and offers excellent Swedish massages alongside a solid sauna.

9. Finnish Church Sauna, Rotherhithe

At £12 for 90 minutes, this hidden sauna inside a church is one of London’s most authentic.

Popular with Finnish expats, it uses drier heat, allowing longer sessions that are particularly helpful for muscle recovery.

10. Soul Water, Edinburgh

Costing £14.50 an hour, this sauna sits right on Portobello Beach.

On a cold winter’s day, the heat feels blissful — and for the brave, the North Sea is only steps away.

Where the Steam Is Heading

With science, culture and community all converging, Britain’s sauna revival shows no sign of cooling.

What started as borrowed tradition is quickly becoming a home-grown habit — one hot, steamy session at a time.

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