Secret Sauna, River Waveney near Bungay
Relaxing in a beach sauna looking out over the sea feels like a delicious side-dish to cold water swimming. With outdoor swimmers among their biggest proponents, it’s little wonder that so many beaches, lidos and lakes are starting to host mobile saunas and even install their own.
But saunas are much more than a side dish. Steeped in history, tradition, ritual, folklore and ceremony, sauna culture is a growing movement. And while cold water immersion is an important element, it’s about a quick plunge and not swimming.
As one of the world’s emerging sauna cultures, Britain is defining itself, developing its own distinct character. So, from beach box saunas to the competitive events, what does British sauna culture look like?
LIKE TIKKA MASALA
You might be surprised by the depth and nuance of sauna culture. Most of us experience saunas in spas, leisure centres or pop-up mobile saunas – an occasional treat or a bolt-on to a swim, work out or day spa.