Hot spots: 10 soothing saunas in Cornwall
There’s never been a better opportunity to embrace your inner Scandi than with a cold plunge followed by a dose of heat therapy while enjoying your Cornish holiday cottage. Over the last couple of years, Cornwall has become a mecca for seaside saunas – after all, there’s nothing like the feeling of going inside a wood-fired sauna in your swimwear after a bracing dip in the sea.
Add to that a unique blend of health and wellbeing benefits – not to mention good, clean fun – against the backdrop of the stunning Cornish coastline, and you have a heady mix of rejuvenation, relaxation and coastal bliss awaiting you.
From eco-friendly structures to mobile units that roam the shores, these saunas offer an experience unlike any other, promoting mindfulness and a deeper connection to nature. Here, we explore the top 10 seaside sauna experiences in Cornwall and discover how they are redefining relaxation by the sea.
1. Saunas by the Sea: Polzeath and Harlyn Bay, north Cornwall
Saunas by the Sea offers a ‘little oasis by the sea’ with its mobile sauna units that roam the picturesque coastline of Cornwall. Crafted with eco-friendly materials and designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, these smart black saunas – one on Baby Bay in Polzeath and one in Harlyn Bay, Padstow – provide a serene retreat.
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Whether perched atop sandy dunes or nestled among rugged cliffs, each session promises a deep connection to nature and a renewed sense of ‘woodfired wellbeing’.
2. Ocean Soul Sauna: Bude, north Cornwall
Nestled on Bude’s picturesque promenade, Ocean Soul Sauna invites guests to immerse themselves in the healing power of the sea. The beautifully crafted barrel-shaped sauna hut offers panoramic views of three stunning beaches – Crooklets, Middle Beach, and Summerleaze – through charming half-moon windows.
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If you’ve succumbed to the allure of cold-water swimming, don’t miss the opportunity for a refreshing dip in Summerleaze’s tidal pool. Enhance the thawing process with a luxurious in-sauna treatment, such as a rejuvenating sea-salt scrub or a pampering Moroccan rhassoul clay face mask.
With sessions tailored to promote detoxification, stress relief and improved circulation, you’ll leave feeling refreshed and revitalised, ready to embrace the beauty of coastal living. Finish the day with a wander along the town’s scenic canal.
3. Olla Hiki Sauna: Newquay, north Cornwall
Olla Hiki Sauna provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The traditional wood-fired sauna offers a purifying experience, enhanced by the soothing sounds of nature. Depending on the location, unwind in the outdoor hot tub or take a refreshing dip in a nearby river or the sea, leaving you feeling replenished and rejuvenated. Add-ons include salt scrubs, massage and hiring traditional felt hats to wear when you’re outside.
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Olla Hiki travels around south-west Cornwall from spring to winter, providing people with a wonderful experience of sweating while watching the ocean, rivers, trees or grazing cows on a field. The sauna will be at North Fistral, Newquay, until 19 May, before moving to the beautiful Watergate Bay cliffs, next to the Yoga Zen Den.
4. Rising Embers: Penzance, south Cornwall
Rising Embers is a little sanctuary of peace in St Anthony Gardens, Penzance. Away from technology and the stresses of life, it’s a space to let the deep heat ease your body and reset your tangled mind.
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Located in a tranquil green setting, the rustic, wood-fired mobile sauna hut provides a retreat for relaxation and introspection. With sessions focused on mindfulness, meditation and connection to nature, soothe your mind, body, and soul in this idyllic spot.
5. Saunassa: Newquay, north Cornwall
Saunassa takes inspiration from traditional Finnish sauna culture to create a truly authentic wellness experience, where you can alternate through the invigorating stages of heat and cold.
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This hidden gem, nestled away in the heart of Newquay, has two wood-fired hot tubs, a wood-fired sauna, two chilled baths, a cold plunge, and a place to zone out and tune in afterwards. Saunassa brings together all the elements for ultimate revitalisation.
6. Wild Spa at St Moritz Hotel: Rock, north Cornwall
The Wild Spa at St Moritz Hotel offers a luxurious retreat for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation amid the stunning natural beauty of Cornwall. Experience a journey of hot and cold therapies, navigating the Lithuanian-style wood-fired sauna, three wood-fired hot tubs, plunge pool and drench showers.
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Enhanced by an outdoor swimming pool, this experience seamlessly guides you through the elements, maximising the benefits each has to offer.
7. Soul Sauna: Trevone Beach, Padstow, north Cornwall
Perched on the edge of the Camel Estuary, Soul Sauna offers a serene escape from the daily routine. The traditional wood-fired sauna cabin provides a cosy retreat, while the outdoor seating area offers stunning views of the water.
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Whether enjoying a solo session or relaxing with friends, bask in the tranquil ambiance and embrace the healing power of the sea air.
8. Bedruthan Sensory Spa Garden: north Cornwall
Set amid the rugged cliffs of Cornwall’s north coast, the Sensory Spa Garden at Bedruthan Hotel is part-Nordic thermal therapy, part-Cornish coastal wellbeing. With seven stages at different temperatures, find yourself slowly warming up in the heated sauna before suddenly drenching yourself in ice water!
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The outdoor sauna and hot tub provide a serene space to unwind and rejuvenate, while the surrounding gardens offer a tranquil oasis for reflection and contemplation. With sessions designed to soothe the senses and restore balance, reconnect with nature and nurture your inner wellbeing.
9. Kiln Sauna: Flushing, Falmouth, south Cornwall
A sanctuary by the sea, Kiln Sauna offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. Located on Kiln Beach, Flushing, the traditional wood-fired sauna cabin provides a rustic escape from the stresses of modern life, while the outdoor seating area offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.
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Enjoy the ever-changing view of the ocean from the panoramic window while sitting in the warmth and, in true Nordic style, break up your session with cold plunges into the sea.
10. Escape to the Sauna: various locations, south Cornwall
Escape to the Sauna offers wild wellness in the heart of Cornwall’s coastal wilderness. Discover a community wood-fired sauna at three gorgeous beaches in Cornwall – the perfect antidote to a wild sea swim:
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- St Austell: the sauna is on the sand at Carlyon Bay Beach, just yards from the sea, on Friday evenings and during the day on Saturdays.
- Falmouth: the sauna is just a few steps away from the beach at Maenporth boatyard, on Sunday days and Monday evenings.
- Hayle: head to the North Quay slipway, where the sauna is right on the riverside, on Wednesday evenings.
Whether it’s the hot-cold therapy or the serene coastal settings, each sauna experience invites us to reconnect with ourselves and the environment. Now, armed with knowledge of these coastal oases, why not plan your next escape to Cornwall? Choose one of our handpicked collection of Cornish holiday cottages, and get cosy beside the sea.
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