The Rise of London’s Sauna Culture

There is a quiet revolution happening in London. Not in boardrooms or on trading floors, but in the gentle heat of a sauna. Beneath the city’s glass and steel skyline, where deals are made and strategies unfold, another kind of gathering is taking place—one without suits, without smartphones, without hierarchy. The London sauna scene has changed, and with it, the way people connect, unwind, and even conduct business.

London’s Hidden Sauna Heritage

Sauna culture in London is not a new phenomenon. Before the recent surge in modern sauna venues, people in London frequented a mix of historic bathhouses, cultural steam baths, and community-focused facilities for sauna experiences. These spaces were often overlooked by mainstream wellness trends but served as crucial hubs for relaxation and social interaction.

Venues like Porchester Spa, Ironmonger Row Baths, and York Hall provided traditional Turkish and Russian-style saunas, while Russian banyas played a central role in immigrant communities. Additionally, the 1948 Finnish Olympic Sauna remains a testament to cultural exchange, highlighting the rich history of sauna use in the city well before modern urban wellness trends emerged.

The New Landscape of London’s Sauna Culture

Consider Hackney Wick Community Sauna Baths. Established in 2022, it was meant to be a modest experiment, a communal space offering affordable wellness to anyone willing to sweat alongside a stranger. Now it has expanded to Stratford to meet demand. Sessions start at just £8.50, making it one of the most accessible wellness experiences in a city where luxury often overshadows necessity. It has also built a strong community following, with regulars treating it as a kind of second home, a place where they can disconnect from the demands of city life and reconnect with themselves and others.

At the other end of the spectrum, Arc, nestled within Canary Wharf’s Crossrail Place, brings a different approach. It offers the UK’s largest sauna, seating up to 60 people at a time. Here, the traditional sauna practice is paired with modern touches—UV-purified ice baths, guided breathwork, and structured wellness events. It is an investment in well-being, priced at around £28 per session, but for many, it is worth it. There is something symbolic about a sauna in the heart of London’s financial district. It suggests a shift in values, an acknowledgment that resilience and performance are not just about relentless effort, but about knowing when to pause. Arc also hosts specialty sessions, such as silent meditation hours, sauna yoga, and aromatherapy-infused steam sessions, ensuring that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all experience but something that can be tailored to each individual’s needs.

Taking the concept further

Pop-up saunas have taken the experience even further. The 'slow motion sauna' — a travelling installation conceptualised by Rob da Bank—creates a sensory contrast to the city’s usual hurried pace. Located in places like King’s Cross, these mobile saunas often include cold plunge barrels, introducing the kind of contrast therapy that has long been popular in Scandinavia. The ability to set up in various locations makes these saunas adaptable to seasonal trends, wellness festivals, and corporate wellness events. They have become especially popular with younger professionals who see them as a break from the traditional gym routine and a way to incorporate social wellness into their schedules.

Another innovative concept is the Finnish Rooftop Sauna at the Southbank Centre. Inspired by traditional Finnish sauna culture, this venue offers breathtaking views over the Thames while providing an authentic heat experience. The rooftop location adds an extra sensory element—imagine the warmth of the sauna contrasting with the brisk London air as you step out to cool down. The space has quickly become a favorite among urban wellness seekers, combining relaxation with an unbeatable cityscape.

Bringing the club to the sauna

Sauna Social Club in Peckham takes a different approach, blending sauna culture with music and ambient listening experiences. Their guided sauna sessions include live DJ sets, spoken word performances, and even storytelling nights, turning the sauna into an intimate social gathering space. This unique blend of heat therapy and creative expression has attracted a diverse community, from artists and musicians to corporate professionals looking for an unconventional way to unwind.

The trend is not limited to static locations. Mobile sauna experiences are also growing in popularity, with converted vans and temporary setups offering Londoners a chance to experience sauna culture in unexpected places. Some mobile saunas are now partnering with local parks and wellness retreats to create pop-up relaxation zones. These flexible, community-driven approaches to sauna culture show how deeply the city has embraced the idea of shared, holistic well-being.

Is this the future of community in London?

As these spaces continue to evolve, London’s sauna culture is proving to be about far more than heat. It is about connection, community, and creating an oasis of calm within one of the world’s busiest cities. Whether in a rooftop sanctuary, a repurposed warehouse, or a mobile sauna parked beside a riverbank, the movement is clear: Londoners are seeking new ways to slow down, and the sauna is providing the perfect setting for it.