For centuries, the intense, cleansing heat of the sauna has been a cornerstone of daily life in Scandinavia. Now, this ancient ritual is experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity across Britain, propelled not by tradition, but by a growing body of scientific evidence touting its impressive health benefits.
The Science Behind the Steam
Stepping into a sauna, temperatures can soar to a blistering 100°C, with water poured over heated stones to create bursts of steam. Sessions typically last between ten and twenty minutes, often followed by a cool shower or an icy plunge. While the experience is deeply relaxing, it's the compelling health claims that are driving the modern British adoption.
Influential voices like Dr Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford University and host of the hugely popular Huberman Lab podcast, have brought sauna bathing into the mainstream. With millions of followers, he champions it as a form of ‘passive cardiovascular training’.
His advocacy points to large-scale Finnish studies which suggest regular sauna use is linked to a significantly lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and dementia, alongside improved sleep and stress resilience. The research is striking: those who sauna four to seven times weekly show around a 60% lower risk of fatal heart attack and a 50% reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to once-a-week users.
Cardiologists note that even a single session can temporarily boost circulation and lower blood pressure. The heat exposure raises the heart rate and dilates blood vessels, mimicking some effects of exercise without the physical strain.
A Social Wellness Revolution
This scientific backing helps explain a dramatic shift in the UK's wellness landscape. According to the British Sauna Society, the number of Finnish-style public saunas in the country more than quadrupled between early 2023 and late 2025.
Saunas are shedding their image as a niche luxury. They align with broader lifestyle changes, such as declining alcohol consumption, and offer something many modern wellness habits lack: genuine social connection. As communal spaces where friends and family gather, the minimal clothing and shared experience help flatten social hierarchies. Furthermore, the heat is thought to trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that promotes bonding.
Top Ten UK Saunas to Experience
Dr Maria Pasholok-Korolkova, a University of Greenwich associate professor who has visited over 100 saunas, shares her expert picks for the best spots in Britain 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 therapists use fragrant birch or oak twigs to stimulate circulation.
2. Saela – Newcastle (£16 for 1 hour)
A Nordic-style sauna for ten, accompanied by three icy plunge pools. Research suggests cold exposure can aid muscle recovery, mood, and even insulin sensitivity.
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 retreat.
4. Wilderness Lochside Sauna – Glencoe (£39.95 for 1 hour)
A private Finnish sauna set against the dramatic backdrop of the Highlands, complete with a cold plunge pool.
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.
6. Beach Box – Brighton (£25 for 90 minutes)
Experience the ultimate contrast: searing heat followed by a bracing plunge into the mineral-rich sea.
7. ARC Community Sauna – Canary Wharf, London (£29 for 70 minutes)
Focusing on shorter sessions and intense ice baths, this offers a more clinical wellness experience.
8. Porchester Spa – Paddington, London (£30 for 60 minutes)
Steeped in history, this recently refurbished spa is one of London's oldest, having opened in 1925.
9. Finnish Church – Rotherhithe, London (£12 for 90 minutes)
A quirky, authentic Finnish sauna in a church, favoured by expats for its dry, intense heat.
10. Soul Water – Edinburgh (£14.50 for 1 hour)
Perched on Portobello Beach promenade, this sauna offers brave bathers easy access to the chilly North Sea.
As scientific interest grows and influential figures continue to promote its virtues, the sauna has firmly transitioned from a curious indulgence to an evidence-informed pillar of a contemporary, healthy British lifestyle.
