Community Saunas: The Wellness Trend Taking Over London

Saunas have been around for thousands of years, thought to have originated in Finland, where they were used for warmth and shelter during the winter months. They’ve long featured in the wellness world too: a regular fixture in spas and fancy health clubs all over the world, lauded for offering a plethora of health benefits. But it’s only in the past year or so that sauna fever has really taken off in London – this time with a new social element. Community saunas are popping up all over the capital, and last year Londoners flocked to the city’s first sauna festival, which is back by popular demand this March. So what’s behind the hype?

Community Saunas: Benefits & Etiquette

What Are Community Saunas?

Community saunas are saunas usually run by locals, designed to be inclusive and affordable. They tend to include a number of communal saunas, as well as some you can book privately, plus cold plunge pools.

In London, the trend is helmed by the Community Sauna Baths Network, which runs sauna sites in places like Hackney Wick and Bermondsey – with two new sites set to open in 2025, one in Walthamstow and another in Camberwell. But there are other companies too: Sauna & Plunge is an Instagrammable Scandinavian-inspired experience in East London, while Hackney is home to a rooftop sauna where you can soak up city views while sweating it out. 

A key draw is the social side: saunas are becoming increasingly popular as a place to catch up with friends without alcohol. Sites run events too, with the Community Sauna Baths offering everything from mum and baby sessions to sound baths and queer poetry nights.

 

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Saunas?

Saunas are associated with numerous health benefits for both body and mind – provided they are practiced safely (more on that below). Wellbeing perks include:

• Pain reduction
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Relaxation and reducing stress
• Improved circulation
• Lowered blood pressure

Who Should Avoid Saunas?

Saunas are generally not recommended for people with certain health conditions, including:

• People with very high or very low blood pressure
• People with certain heart conditions
• Pregnant women

If the practice is suitable for you, it’s important to drink plenty of water before and after to avoid dehydration, and avoid consuming alcohol ahead of your session. For newbies, experts recommend starting with a shorter session (five to ten minutes), while more experienced users can stay in for 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can do shorter intervals interspersed with cold plunge sessions.

Sauna & Plunge

Sauna Etiquette: What You Need To Know

Generally, people wear swimwear. However, some saunas have the option to go topless for both genders, including London’s Community Sauna Baths. It’s recommended to bring two towels: one to sit on in the saunas, and another to dry yourself with after showering, as well as sliders or flip flops to walk around in. Showering before you sauna is also encouraged, and always ask others before you put water on the stones (this makes the sauna hotter).

Most community saunas have a sociable feel, and chatting is encouraged. However, it’s important to be mindful of the atmosphere, and remember these are meant to be relaxing, calm spaces.

London’s Best Saunas

• Community Sauna Baths – Hackney Wick, Stratford, Bermondsey, Peckham, community-sauna.co.uk
• Sauna & Plunge – Old Street, saunaandplunge.life
• Rooftop Saunas – Hackney, rooftopsaunas.com
• Sauna Social Club – Peckham, saunasocialclub.co.uk

What Is The Saunaverse?

Returning to Hackney Wick for its second year is The Saunaverse, a festival dedicated to the mighty sauna. Taking place at the Community Sauna Baths on 15 March 2025, the event offers 12 hours of wood-fired saunas, cold plunging, hot tubs, music and dance – plus sauna rituals and performances. Sign up here to be the first to hear about tickets.