United Kingdom
London's sauna culture has evolved rapidly since 2018, when the UK's cold-water swimming revival helped normalise regular sauna use outside gym changing rooms. The city's sauna offer spans several tiers: luxury hotel spas (The Ned, Corinthia, Bulgari) operating full Finnish and steam sauna landscapes for guests and day-visitors; dedicated wellness clubs like Bathhouse Shoreditch and community sauna venues in Hackney; the Finnish Society of Great Britain's members' sauna in Notting Hill; and a growing circuit of pop-up floating and wood-fired saunas along the Thames and canals. London saunas generally require swimwear in mixed sessions — single-gender sessions at some venues may be swimwear-optional. Prices are London-premium (£25–60 per session), but quality at the top end competes with any European capital.
Community Sauna Baths operates four locations (Hackney Wick, Peckham, Camberwell, Bethnal Green) and is the reference point for London's public sauna scene. Arc in Hackney Wick and several Finnish-style venues in East London are strong alternatives.
No — the Thames is not used for sauna plunging due to water quality. All London saunas use indoor cold plunge tubs instead.
Most do. Weekends sell out 4–7 days in advance. Some weekday morning slots are drop-in.
