Trendy outside saunas in Cornwall are set in some stunning wild locations
Whether it's the thrill of sweating it out in the wilderness or the post-sauna cool-down with a view, outdoor saunas create an immersive experience that feels like a mini escape from the world.
Plus, there's a primal satisfaction in the simplicity of stripping down, stepping outside and letting the heat work its magic. It's one of the fastest-growing wellness trends in recent years and, while not for the faint of heart, veteran wild sauna users and ice-bath lovers alike are always keen to shout about the health benefits.
The idea of outdoor spa experiences can prove a little intimidating at first but, despite the chill, people tend to love the blend of nature and relaxation. Thankfully, with the concept of an outdoor sauna becoming ever-so-popular, there are plenty of places to give it a whirl in Cornwall - and here is a selection of some of them.
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Saunas By The Sea
Where: New Polzeath, Harlyn Bay
Set among the spectacular scenery of the north Cornish coast, Saunas By The Sea has three wood-fired saunas to promote good health, balance and tranquility.
With saunas at locations including both Coronation Gardens and Baby Bay in New Polzeath and Harlyn Bay Beach, those behind the venture say its the ideal location to experience the benefits of sauna life. Those locations are correct at the time of writing but they do move around the Cornish coast throughout the season.
The website states: "Take time to still your mind and body, sit for a moment, breathe and relax after an exhilarating day near the coast. There is no better feeling than to be enveloped in the heat of a sauna, the health benefits alone have inspired us to bring these magical moments for you to easily enjoy."
A 50-minute session for one person at two of the locations is £17. Polzeath Wild Spa Sauna has a £19.50, 90 minutes experience including a cold plunge and classes are available too. Visit the website, here, for more information and to book.
St Moritz Wild Spa
Where: Near Wadebridge
A luxury hotel in north Cornwall launched an invigorating hot and cold spa experience last winter including its outdoor sauna. St Moritz, in Trebetherick, between Rock and Polzeath, has set the Nordic outdoor spa experience within the stunning landscaped gardens of the hotel.
Nestled into the north Cornwall cliffside, fire pits and a full rejuvenation programme will immerse visitors. They will reap both the energising benefits of cold water exposure alongside the warming effects of heat therapy.
At £35 for a two-hour experience, the hotel says "there is no better way" to embrace the elements, in collaboration with Water and Stone. A key part of those options will be a Lithuanian style of sauna – a ‘Pirtis’ – an option that has rarely been available in the UK. Filling the sauna with scents of the forest through ‘whisking’, this Lithuanian sauna tradition is all about creating a connection with nature. To book and for more information visit the website, here.
Rising Embers
Where: Newlyn Green, near Penzance
Rising Embers is the brainchild of business owner Jenny Garland. The sauna launched in St Anthony's Gardens last year, just a stone's throw from Jubilee Pool. This year it relocated to Newlyn Green, near Penzance.
Jenny is an experienced forager and trainee herbalist and has an absolute passion for everything sauna, believing that the health benefits and access to the natural environment throughout the seasons is the best thing for both the body and mind. The idea behind Embers was to create "a little sanctuary of peace in Penzance, away from technology and the stresses of life".
"Come let the deep heat ease the body and reset the tangled mind. Come and enjoy the simplicity of fire and ocean hot and cold," the website states. "We are excited to work with local practitioners to hold sacred spaces, aligning with the seasons and cycles of the year."
A one-hour session for six people is £60. A 30-minute sauna session is £6. Visit the website here for more information and to book.
Escape to the Sauna
Where: Falmouth, Hayle, St Austell
Relax and lose yourself in the rejuvenating blend of heat and cold with beautiful wood-fired saunas in three more locations across Cornwall. Escape to the Sauna was born in 2023 and has locations on Maenporth Boatyard in Falmouth, steps from the beach, and right on the sands of Carlyon Bay, near St Austell.
And now a third location has just joined the collection at North Quay, in Hayle. Each location makes for a relaxing experience solo, or book for private hire with a group.
The mobile wood-fired barrel sauna said it is pleased to announce the opening of a new sauna at its latest location. This expansion follows a successful first year of operation.
Olla Hiki Sauna
Where: Newquay
Located at the Boathouse in Newquay Harbour, this mobile sauna moves around depending on the time of year and will be in this location from September 18 to the end of January 2025. It's open from Wednesday to Sunday and offers communal and private sessions and special events throughout autumn and winter.
"Olla Hiki Sauna is travelling around south west Cornwall from spring to winter, providing people with a wonderful experience of sweating whilst watching the ocean, rivers, trees or grazing cows on a field," the website states.
"Our aim is to create a safe, welcoming and accessible space for EveryBODY whilst providing local communities and visitors of the South West an affordable way to incorporate the benefits of sauna culture into their wellness routine."
A communal session for 30 minutes if £8 while one hour is £13. A private session for up to seven people is £69. Book here.