Londoners looking for an authentic Scandinavian sauna experience don’t have to travel far: there are several in the capital run by Community Sauna Baths.
The main location is in the backyard of the historic Eastway Public Baths building in Hackney Wick, East London.
The previously abandoned site, which dates back to the 1930s, is equipped with “six communal saunas for individual bathers” and a “five-person sauna for group bookings,” according to the Communal sauna location.
As part of the sauna booking, after warming themselves to the core, visitors can cool off in a quirky ice-immersion tank – either a metal bathtub or a “rustic converted whiskey barrel.” But be prepared: the water is only five to eight degrees Celsius in winter and 10 to 14 degrees Celsius in summer.
According to the websiteGuests must bring two towels to the sauna. One to sit on and one to dry off with. While visitors must be covered from the waist down, the website says that toplessness is optional for all genders. A bathrobe is required when using the restrooms or the cafe.
Londoners looking for an authentic Scandinavian sauna experience don’t have to travel far; there are several in the capital run by Community Sauna Baths. The flagship location is in the back garden of the historic Eastway Public Baths building in Hackney (above)
The sauna in Hackney Wick features cold plunge pools in the form of metal bathtubs and ‘rustically converted whisky barrels’
The water in the barrels is only five to eight degrees Celsius in winter and 10 to 14 degrees Celsius in summer. Pictured is the Hackney Wick sauna
The venue also describes itself as a ‘sober space’ and advises people not to drink alcohol, use drugs and not smoke or vape.
The website states: ‘The closest thing to alcohol here is the whisky barrels.’
It’s also a phone-free area – the site notes: ‘Don’t take your phone inside the sauna. You are welcome to take photos outside, but always ask permission in advance.’
Although visitors must be covered from the waist down, toplessness is optional for all genders. Upstairs – the Hackney Wick sauna
The organization organizes several events throughout the year and offers guests a multitude of options to relax: from ‘mamma sauna’ for mothers and children to yoga and sound baths.
Other events include a Queer Poetry Sauna (£25), a ‘mythical oral storytelling series specifically for people who identify as women, non-binary and intersex’ (£25) and Storytelling For Deeper Connection (£30).
What do customers think? They are impressed.
After visiting the Hackney location, Hugo Silva said on Google: ‘One of the most amazing places. The staff is great, helpful and super friendly. A large number of saunas, super clean and always working perfectly. The space is super cute and often busy.’
The sauna even has the seal of approval of a Finn. Jukka Rintamäki wrote on Google: ‘Place was fantastic. As a Finn I am used to most saunas outside Finland being half decent at most, usually. But this is one of the best saunas I have ever been to – certainly the best new sauna.’
Community Sauna Baths opened in early 2022, with the Hackney Wick site seeing the launch of London’s first authentic wood-fired sauna and cold plunge pool.
Since then, the not-for-profit organisation has expanded, opening saunas in Stratford’s community garden and in Glengall Wharf Garden in Peckham.
Off-peak access to the saunas costs £8.50, whilst peak access is £15. For more information visit www.community-sauna.co.uk.
