A History of The Wild Sauna

Winners of The Best UK Sauna in Nature Award 2025 at the UK Sauna Summit

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For 20 years, Lucy and Tom lived on the Sussex coast, converting workboats into homes. When lockdown arrived and nothing was quite as it had been before, they felt inspired to transform a 1960s horsebox into a stunning wood-lined sauna. Meanwhile, they had also become hooked on wild swimming (they still are), and before long, the combination of cold sea swimming and a hot sauna gave birth to The Wild Sauna.

Lucy and Tom felt they still had a significant project inside of them, so they took a leap of faith and moved to the Cotswolds, where Tom’s family lived. Tom’s mother, Dominique, founder of Whichford Pottery, had long admired the beauty of Whichford Mill. Therefore, when it came on the market at precisely the right moment, it seemed it was meant to be. The meandering River Stour and abundant ancient springs made it an ideal place for The Wild Sauna.

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We sit in the sunshine, and Lucy explains to me that, despite not knowing anyone beyond family when they moved to the Cotswolds two years ago, they have discovered that the Wild Sauna brings together truly lovely people and that a community is growing around it. As a result, they are expanding their community sessions and will soon provide an additional eight spaces specifically for community bookings. They also offer free saunas to NHS staff for six weeks per year as part of a nationwide campaign by the British Sauna Society. Additionally, a local GP is interested in incorporating the Wild Sauna into their practice for social prescribing purposes. It makes perfect sense; we know saunas have health benefits and that immersion in nature is excellent for mental health.

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Additionally, since the sauna accommodates only six people, a wood-fired hot tub filled with spring water has been constructed, allowing larger groups to hire the space for an hour or two. This is ideal for visitors to the area travelling with a larger group or for those seeking a special way to enjoy time with family and friends.  

Saunas and their Health benefits

. A sauna is typically a room heated to between 70° Celsius and 100° Celsius or 158° Fahrenheit and 212° Fahrenheit.

. Regardless of how a sauna is heated or the humidity level, the effects on the body are similar.

. When you sit in a sauna, your heart rate increases, and blood vessels widen. This increases circulation similarly to low- to moderate-intensity exercise, depending on the duration of sauna use.

. The widening of your arteries can decrease high blood pressure.

. A sauna can increase circulation, reduce muscle soreness, improve joint movement, and ease arthritis pain.

. People with asthma may find relief from some symptoms as a result of using a sauna. It can open airways, loosen phlegm, and reduce stress.

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To book your place at The Wild Sauna, head to www.whichfordmill.co.uk

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