Kiln, Falmouth
Founded in 2024 by designers Kathryn Tyler and Angus Thatcher, Kiln takes its inspiration from Scandinavian sauna culture. The ethos here is community-oriented, with a 30-minute social session starting at just £8. There are currently got two sites: one on Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth, and another at Kiln Quay in Flushing. A sauna and bathhouse in St Ives are planned for the end of the year.
Queen Mary Road, Falmouth TR11 4SX; kilnsauna.com
Sea Scrub, Margate
With its gorgeous beaches, art galleries and smattering of sensational restaurants, Margate is fast emerging as one of England’s top weekend destinations. Further burnishing its credentials is the presence of Sea Scrub, with its two saunas sitting on the sand – one of them is a glorious Nordic barrel with a wood-fired stove. Team a visit with a night at the fabulous Fort Road hotel.
Royal Crescent Promenade, Margate CT9 1XP; seascrubsauna.co.uk
Samphire, Hastings
Sitting over the water on Hastings’ pier, Samphire comprises two separate, side-by-side saunas, each holding up to four people at any one time. The saunas can be booked for communal or private sessions, and the deckchair waiting area is a brilliant spot for people-watching. And every other Friday, you can join early morning sauna and yoga sessions called Sunrise & Steam.
1-10 White Rock, Hastings TN34 1JU; samphiresauna.co.uk
Image credit: Ceri Stokes
Elie Seaside Sauna, Fife
With its nature reserves and secret beaches, plus views of the Forth Bridge and sandstone sea stacks, the 117-mile Fife Coastal Path is one of Britain’s greatest walks. One of its most charming sections is the Elie to Crail section with its lovely wee fishing villages, and high up on one of the dunes at Elie harbour is Elie Seaside Sauna, built in a converted horse trailer lined with blonde wood. Sited to face the setting sun, it’s so romantic that, despite only opening in 2022, it’s already hosted three successful proposals.
Elie Harbour, Fife KY9 1EG; elieseasidesauna.com
Rewild Sauna, West Sussex
This handsome sauna sits right on the seafront at Bracklesham Bay, a short walk from East Wittering on the Manhood peninsula in West Sussex. Open sunrise to sunset, Thursday to Monday, the hand-crafted timber-clad sauna has a panoramic window with views across the water to the Isle of Wight.
Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham Bay, Chichester PO20 8JH; rewildsauna.co.uk
Rooftop Sauna, Hackney
It might lack white sands and waves lapping at the shoreline, but the view from the Rooftop Saunas in Hackney remains pretty pukka nonetheless. Sitting high on the roof of Netil House near Broadway Market, the handcrafted timber saunas look out over east London, making for a serene contrast to the hustle and bustle at street level. The sessions are all private groups only, and all come with the use of cold plunge pools and waterfall buckets. A three-step essential oils and skin care routine is available in the cool-down rooms.
Netil Corner, 2 Bocking Street, London E8 4RU; rooftopsaunas.com
David Annand is editorial director of Secret Trips
