Whitby Wellbeing Wild Sauna
There are few things better than getting properly hot, stepping outside into the Yorkshire air and plunging into cold water.
Whitby Wellbeing takes the sauna out of the spa and into the landscape, with wood-fired wild sauna experiences beside rivers, beaches and along the coast around Whitby.
It is exactly our kind of wellness.
Sauna in the wild //
Forget white robes, treatment rooms and cucumber water.
Whitby Wellbeing's saunas appear in some rather more interesting places: beside the River Esk, on Whitby Beach and at coastal locations including Sandsend and Runswick Bay. Their setups include horsebox, trailer and tent saunas, depending on the session and location.
The idea is wonderfully simple.
Get hot. Get outside. Get cold. Repeat.
Wood-fired Wild Sauna on Scarborough South Bay.
Adding water to the hot stones during a wild sauna session.
Looking out across Scarborough South Bay from the sauna.
Fire + water //
Part of the appeal is the contrast.
Wood smoke and steam. Cold water. The sound of the water and crackle of the fire rather than a spa playlist.
Whitby Wellbeing describes its approach as connecting people back to nature through experiences involving the elements, including sauna, cold water, breathwork and other outdoor wellbeing practices.
The cold-water dip is optional, so you can simply step outside between sauna rounds if plunging into a Yorkshire river isn't quite your idea of relaxation.
What to bring //
Whitby Wellbeing currently recommends bringing:
Swimwear // worn in the sauna
Towel // to sit on
Second towel // if you're going for a dip
Water // to stay hydrated
River shoes or flip-flops // useful, but optional
Follow the sauna //
Whitby Wellbeing's wild sauna doesn't stay in one place. Sessions pop up along the Yorkshire Coast, so it's worth checking what's happening during your stay.
Scarborough South Bay // Friday mornings
Cayton Bay // Every other Sunday, in the sauna tent
Whitby + the coast // Other sessions
The setting changes, but the ritual stays much the same: get hot, step outside into the sea air, cool off and repeat.
For current locations, dates and availability, check Whitby Wellbeing before you go.
From sauna to The Lodge //
If you’re staying for the weekend, pop into one of the coastal sauna sessions. You’ll often find us at Scarborough South Bay on a Friday morning, starting the day with wood-fired heat, sea air and a cold dip.
Then it’s back to The Lodge for a hot shower, coffee and time to get ready before heading out for a day exploring the Yorkshire Coast.
Not a bad way to start the weekend.
