Warm up winter with the best outdoor saunas
The residents of Nordic countries swear by the restorative power of a hot sauna and a freezing cold dip. And now the UK is becoming increasingly wise to the benefits, from reduced stress to possible improvements in sleep, immune functions, respiration and skin health.
There are more outdoor saunas popping up across the UK than ever before – be sure to check out Wyld Sauna which recently opened from its floating location in Liverpool’s dock – but for a bespoke approach you can’t beat the personal touch. Whether your budget or your garden is big or small, these are the brands that can help you realise your pampering dreams.
The sustainable one
Founded by former interior designer Lisa Deller and wellness expert Thaisa Box, Wildhut was built on both women’s passion for the health benefits of sauna, which Deller describes as ‘invigorating, relaxing, stress relieving and addictive’. Dedicated to treating the environment as well as their bodies, the duo craft their saunas (choose from a four-person ‘Tuli’, six-person ‘Vesi’ or eight-person ‘Maa’) using sheep’s wool as insulation and FSC- and PEFC-certified timber from Sussex, and have partnered with Carbon Neutral Britain to offset their annual CO2 emissions. From £22,500, wildhut.com
The high-tech one
For those who want the sauna experience, but with the precision and ease-of-use you would expect from an ultra-modern home appliance, Auroom’s ready-made models are ideal. In its ‘Natura’ (designed by architect Luca Donazzolo) and more compact ‘Arti’ outdoor spas (from £48,302), there’s touchscreen control of the temperature and lighting, as well as speakers and a built-in Bluetooth player, so that you can set the mood with your own relaxation playlist. Every element of the sauna is hand-crafted by experts who have also worked on bespoke projects for spas and hotels. wellnessonegroup.com
The streamlined one
Perfectly sized for up to three people, Out of the Valley’s ‘Tyto’ is an outdoor sauna for those who don’t think they have space for one. Clad internally with aspen and externally with charred larch, it measures 1.74 metres wide and 2.45 metres tall, with a small deck to the side. The whole front wall of the sauna is, in fact, a panoramic window to maximise your immersion in nature (you can swap for mirrored glass if privacy is a concern). There’s the option of a wood-burning or electric heater, and you can also include an outdoor shower as an optional extra. From £34,200, outofthevalley.co.uk
The self-assembly one
Fittingly for a brand from the same country that brought us Ikea, Polhus offers affordable outdoor saunas – if you’re willing to put in a bit of work. Its compact ‘Narvik’ model claims a build time of two to three days, and the price (£3,290) doesn’t include any of the necessary elements you will need to turn it from a fancy shed into a sauna – heating systems (from £529), internal LED lighting (£199) – but the quality is reassuring, made from Thermawood timber: more eco-friendly than pressure-treated varieties. Not into DIY? For an extra £3,090 it will arrive pre-assembled. polhus.co.uk
