Finding something to do on a winter weekend definitely gets trickier when it’s cold, wet or grey (or all 3)
However, a trip to the sauna is something you can comfortably do in ALL of these conditions. Plus, it’s GREAT for your mental and physical health.
Saunas, especially in coastal locations, have been popping up all over the UK in the last few years, having been a key component of a healthy lifestyle all over Scandinavia for decades. With proven benefits to both your mental and physical health, why not give it a go?
Here in Dorset, we’re blessed to have so many awesome locations to go for a sweat.
Here’s a few of our favourites.
Studland Sauna – Knoll Beach, Studland
Boasting TWO wooden, waterfront saunas, Studland saunas have outrageous views of the iconic Old Harry Rocks. We’ve spent many a work outing and social gathering here – you cannot beat it!
Open 7am-7pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can book the ‘little’ (up to 6 people) or ‘large’ (up to 10 people) huts for exclusive use for your friends and family. Being a mere 20m from the shoreline, there’s no excuse not to dip!
You can check out their website and Instagram for bookings and more beautiful sauna shots.
If you’re heading to Studland, why not make a day of it and join us for a kayak trip to Old Harry Rocks? Or paddle board in Studland Bay with Land & Wave?
You can book via our website.
Saltwater Sauna, Sandbanks
Just across the harbour in Poole, you can find the gorgeous Saltwater Sauna. Based on the promenade, a 3- minute walk from Sandbanks beach car park and the Land & Wave Sandbanks base!
Open for private and communal sessions from 8am-8pm, Saltwater sauna often host retreats, for the mind body and soul. The incredible architectural window provides stunning sauna views out to sea. It’s a special place and always feels like a treat.
To book onto one of their upcoming retreats visit their website, here
Revive Wild Sauna, Portland & Weymouth
Further down the coast, you’ll find Revive Wild Saunas, based at the idyllic Bowleaze cove, tucked away at the side of the coastal car park.
Running both communal and private bookings, Revive Wild Saunas is the most cost effective of these saunas, costing only £12 per person for a communal session.
If you’re looking for something even more exciting with your sauna experience, why not visit Revive Wild Sauna at Portland Marina for the UK’s first floating Sauna!
Up to 6 people per session; you couldn’t get any closer to the water if you tried, perfect for that quick dunk between sessions.
You can book onto both of Revive’s saunas here, or check out their Instagram for weekly availability
The Forest Sauna at Happy River Retreat, Wareham Forest
Swap sea for cedar with this secluded woodland sauna. Based at the gorgeous Happy River retreat, look out onto the trees beyond. Equipped with a plunge pool and jungle shower, you can still get that cold water therapy.
The sauna is bookable for private hire or 65 minute communal experiences, with twice weekly early-bird and night-owl sessions too.
Happy River also offers a membership, guaranteeing 2 dedicated slots a week with other sauna enthusiasts. The retreat itself frequently runs courses, events and yoga classes – encompassing everything wholesome to bring you at one with nature.
For more information on all that the Happy River retreat offers, Forest Sauna and all, check out their website.
But WHY should I sauna?
Dr Susanna Søberg, an expert in ‘anti-stress’ science has discovered that the minimum threshold for “significant” health benefits using heat exposure & cold immersion is 57 minutes of heat and 11 minutes of cold per week, ideally alternating between the two, and divided over 2-3 days.
November is Men’s Mental Health Awareness month. But regardless of your gender, mental health should be top of your priorities list.
Research has shown those who use the sauna 5-15 times a month reported greater general mental well-being than those who use it less frequently. Also, a whopping 83.5% of sauna users reported improved sleep after their sauna sessions and we all know that quality sleep is a cornerstone of good mental health.
If mental health is on your mind, why not become a mental health first-aider? Our next Mental Health First Aid Course is on 14 March 2025. This accredited course is a must-have for anyone looking to bolster their personal awareness for their own mental health wellness plus looking after those around you. It’s such an engaging, moving course – we couldn’t recommend it more.
Book your spot via our website.
