For centuries, the ritual of the sauna has been woven into the fabric of daily life in Scandinavia. Now, that same tradition is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity across the United Kingdom. But unlike in the Nordics, this rise is being fuelled not by cultural heritage, but by a growing body of compelling health claims.
The Science Behind the Steam
Step inside a traditional sauna and you are immediately enveloped by intense dry heat, often reaching up to 100°C. Sessions typically last between ten and twenty minutes, punctuated by bursts of steam created by ladling water over hot stones, and are frequently followed by a cool shower or an invigorating cold plunge.
This practice has been championed by wellness experts and influencers as a powerful tool for improving cardiovascular health, sleep quality, and stress resilience. A leading voice in this movement is Dr Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and associate professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. Through his widely followed Huberman Lab podcast, with millions of followers on Instagram and YouTube, he has brought evidence-based sauna advice into the mainstream.
Dr Huberman describes sauna bathing as a form of ‘passive cardiovascular training’. He cites extensive Finnish research which links regular use to a significantly lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia, alongside improved sleep and better stress management.
The statistics from these studies are striking. Research indicates that individuals who use a sauna four to seven times per week are approximately 60% less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack and about 50% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to those who go just once a week. Even a single session can provide temporary improvements in circulation and blood pressure.
While much of the evidence remains observational, cardiologists note that heat exposure raises the heart rate and dilates blood vessels in a manner that mimics moderate exercise, but without the physical strain. This compelling science is a key driver behind Britain's burgeoning sauna culture.
More Than a Niche: A Social Wellness Shift
Saunas are rapidly shedding their image as a niche luxury. According to the British Sauna Society, the number of Finnish-style public saunas in the UK more than quadrupled between early 2023 and late 2025.
This shift reflects broader changes in British lifestyle, such as declining alcohol consumption. Furthermore, saunas offer a social element often missing from modern wellness routines. Traditionally communal spaces, they provide a setting where friends and family can gather. The minimal clothing helps flatten social hierarchies, and the heat itself may trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding.
As scientific interest grows and influential figures continue to promote their benefits, saunas are increasingly viewed not as an indulgence, but as an evidence-informed component of a healthy lifestyle.
Top Ten UK Sauna Spots, Chosen by an Expert
Dr Maria Pasholok-Korolkova, an associate professor at the University of Greenwich who has visited over 100 saunas and is writing a book on their rise in Western Europe, shares her ten favourite UK destinations to unwind.
1. Banya No 1 – Chiswick, London (From £55 for 3 hours)
This Russian-style venue offers incredibly soft steam and the traditional ‘pareniye’ ritual, where a therapist uses fragrant birch or oak twigs to stimulate circulation.
2. Saela – Newcastle (£16 for 1 hour)
A Nordic-style sauna for ten people, accompanied by three outdoor plunge pools (4°C, 8°C, 12°C) to maximise cold exposure benefits.
3. Rvival at Monachyle Mhor – Lochearnhead (£10 for 1 hour)
Swap a plunge pool for a pristine Scottish loch at this wild and remote sauna, open Friday to Sunday.
4. Wilderness Lochside Sauna – Glencoe (£39.95 for 1 hour)
A private traditional Finnish sauna set in the dramatic Highlands, complete with a cold plunge pool and outdoor shower.
5. Divers Cove – Surrey (£12 for 1 hour)
A bijou barrel sauna on the edge of a picturesque reservoir, perfect for warming up after a wild swim, with a local pizza stall nearby.
6. Beach Box – Brighton (£25 for 90 minutes)
Experience the ultimate contrast: intense heat followed by a plunge into the mineral-rich, chilly waters of the English Channel.
7. ARC Community Sauna – Canary Wharf, London (£29 for 70 minutes)
Focusing on shorter, 45-minute sessions for workers, this spot emphasises ice baths, dubbed a ‘growth opportunity’.
8. Porchester Spa – Paddington, London (£30 for 60 minutes)
Steep yourself in history at this Grade II listed spa, which opened in 1925 and underwent a £3 million refurbishment in 2025.
9. Finnish Church – Rotherhithe, London (£12 for 90 minutes)
A hidden, quirky gem in a church, favoured by Finnish expats and offering a dry, intense heat ideal for muscle recovery.
10. Soul Water – Edinburgh (£14.50 for 1 hour)
Located on Portobello Beach promenade, this sauna offers brave bathers immediate access to the cold North Sea.
