A Guide to the Best Community Saunas in Bristol

Bristol sauna culture is growing fast! It feels especially meaningful having experienced Finnish sauna culture firsthand, which is why the rise of community saunas in Bristol feels so exciting.

The city has a natural love of outdoor spaces, cold water, independent projects, and places that bring people together. Community saunas fit perfectly into this as they offer simple warmth, calm surroundings, and the chance to try contrast therapy, which can support circulation, ease tension, help recovery, and give a clearer state of mind.

With several community saunas now open in and around the city, each with its own character, this guide brings them together so you can explore the growing sauna culture on your doorstep.

There are now several community saunas across the city, including (in no particular order):

  • Bristol Community Sauna (St Anne’s House)
  • Fire and Ice Wellness (Westbury Wildlife Park)
  • Orchard Sauna (Windmill Hill City Farm)
  • Unfold Sauna Club (Five Acre Farm)
  • Ardagh Community Sauna (Horfield Common)
  • Sivo Wellness (Leigh Court)
  • Bristol Wild Sauna (Fishponds)
  • Bristol Sauna Yard (Redfield)
  • Temporary or pop-up options also appear throughout the year, such as Skuna Boats.

1. Bristol Community Sauna

📍 St Anne’s House, Bristol, BS4 4AB

♪ Watch my visit on TikTok

Bristol Community Sauna is a warm and welcoming community project that keeps things simple and accessible. If you want an affordable and friendly introduction to sauna and cold water in Bristol, this is an ideal place to start.

There are two custom-built electric saunas heated between 85°C and 95°C although the temperature can rise or fall slightly depending on the weather and how often people come and go. The lower benches are noticeably cooler, often 10°C to 20°C lower than the upper benches, so there is plenty of choice for different comfort levels. There are three strong cold showers and three cold plunges on site. Two are kept at around 10°C, and the third is closer to 5°C. These temperatures can shift a little with the outdoor conditions and when the water was last changed.

Guests are asked to bring swimwear, water, two towels, footwear such as crocs or sliders, and a warm change of clothes for after the session. There is a clear code of etiquette that focuses on respect, consent and keeping the space peaceful. Swimwear below the waist is required in all sessions, top half swimwear is optional, and everyone is asked to sit on a towel in the sauna and to shower before using the plunge pools.

man showering after sauna

Image credit: Bristol Community Sauna

2. Fire & Ice Wellness

📍 Westbury Wildlife Park, BS9 3ET

Fire and Ice Wellness sits inside the revived Westbury Wildlife Park, once home to two resident seals who swam in the very pond that is now used for wild bathing. The park was abandoned for more than 25 years before reopening in 2021, and the transformation of the old seal pool into a natural bathing pond and cold plunge feels like a fitting new chapter. With Bristol’s growing love of outdoor swimming and sauna culture, this spot has quickly become a favourite for people who want a simple, nature-led experience.

Fire and Ice is a gentle and peaceful place that blends Bristol’s love of nature, community spaces and simple wellness. If you enjoy wild water and wood fired heat in a setting filled with birdsong and greenery, this will be a memorable addition to your sauna journey through the city.

It includes a wood-fired sauna, a freshwater spring-fed plunge pool and space to swim in the restored pond. The water flows naturally through a regeneration zone, which keeps it clean without the need for chlorine or chemicals. It is small, but large enough for a short, refreshing dip before warming up again in the sauna.

Fire and Ice Wellness

Image credit: Fire and Ice Wellness

3. Orchard Sauna

📍 Windmill Hill City Farm, Bristol BS3 4EA

Orchard Sauna is tucked inside Windmill Hill City Farm and offers a peaceful outdoor sauna experience right in the heart of Bristol. It opened in late 2023 as the first outdoor sauna of its kind in the city centre and quickly became a popular spot for simple, community-focused sessions.

It includes a warm barrel sauna with space for up to 7 people. Silent sessions are available if you prefer a quieter visit. There are two cold plunge pools: a smaller barrel plunge at around 10°C, and a larger pool kept closer to 4°C for a stronger cold water dip.

You can move between heat and cold at your own pace, using the seating area between rounds to cool off and relax. The farm itself adds to the experience. Before or after your session you can wander through the community gardens, visit the animals, stop by the farm cafe, explore the gift shop or catch an event at the farm theatre. On the first Saturday of the month (excluding winter) the farm also hosts a lively market filled with local makers and crafts.

Orchard Sauna was created with sustainability, friendliness and community in mind. The team use an electric sauna to reduce emissions, and they are working towards a closed water system for the plunge and shower area. They also support social prescribing sessions for NHS link workers and aim to create a space that helps people unwind and connect.

Interior of a wooden sauna with a semicircular window showing a green outdoor landscape

Image credit: Orchard Sauna

4. Unfold Sauna Club

📍 Five Acre Farm, Bristol BS48 3BQ

Unfold is a calm and thoughtful sauna space built around connection and slowing down. It was created by three friends from Bristol who wanted a place that encourages presence, community and simple wellness. The atmosphere is gentle, open and centred on taking time for yourself and the people around you.

It features a hand crafted Finnish style sauna by Scandinavian Sauna, designed with natural timber and a clean, minimalist look. There are also two ice baths on site, kept as low as 2°C with a full filtration system for clear and consistent cold water. During the one hour open sauna session, you can move between heat and cold at your own pace.

Unfold also runs yoga and wellbeing sessions at the farm. These combine a 90 minute Hatha Vinyasa class with 90 minutes of sauna and cold water, bringing movement, breath and recovery together in one visit for £25 per person.

Bristol sauna

Image credit: Unfold Sauna

5. Sivo Wellness

📍 Unit 7, The Stables, Leigh Court, Bristol BS8 3RA

Sivo Wellness offers a calm and refined sauna and cold water experience in the grounds of Leigh Court. The space centres on the idea of real world wellness: progress at your own pace, connection with others, and taking small steps that support both body and mind. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and community focused, making it an easy place to slow down and feel grounded.

The Wellness Garden includes a modern sauna, fresh filtered ice baths and quiet outdoor seating. The set up is simple but carefully thought out, with changing rooms, lockers, a toilet and a small cafe room for drinks before or after your session. There is a cold outdoor shower in the garden and plenty of space to relax between rounds.

Bristol sauna

Image credit: Sivo Wellness

6. Ardagh Community Sauna

📍 Ardagh Pavilion, Kellaway Ave, Bristol, BS6 7YL

Ardagh Community Sauna sits on Horfield Common and offers a simple and welcoming outdoor wellness space surrounded by trees and open green space. It has become a popular spot for people looking to relax, recharge and take time out of busy city life. The atmosphere is friendly and community led.

The site includes a large wood fired sauna, cold showers and freshwater plunge pools, along with a changing area and a small space to relax between rounds. The sauna is spacious and warm, making it an easy place to settle in for a steady session, while the cold water options add a refreshing contrast.

Image credit: Ardagh Community Sauna

7. Bristol Wild Sauna

📍 Filwood House, BS16 3RY

Bristol Wild Sauna is one of the city’s newest community sauna spaces, offering a calm place to relax, recharge and reconnect. It includes a ten seat sauna and two steel ice baths, all kept at steady temperatures that make it easy to move between heat and cold. The sauna has a warm, even heat throughout, while the ice baths are cooled and filtered so the water stays consistently cold and clean. Sessions are intentionally kept small, with a maximum of ten people at a time, making this one of the most intimate options in the city compared with larger venues like Ardagh or Sivo. There are also women’s only sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, offering a calm, supportive environment for those who prefer a single gender space.

8. Bristol Sauna Yard

📍 163A Church Road, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9LA

Bristol Sauna Yard is a family run space in Redfield designed to bring traditional wood fired sauna culture into an accessible, community focused setting. There are two saunas on site for steady, natural heat with a simple and welcoming atmosphere that reflects its Finnish inspiration. Alongside the sauna, there are three ice cold plunges for those who want to add contrast therapy into their session. The space is relaxed and friendly, making it an easy spot for regular sessions or a steady reset after a busy week.

Notable Mentions

  • Suvi Sauna (Clevedon Marine Lake + Easton) — hybrid mobile/permanent saunas in the Bristol area.
  • Sensate Spa (BS9) — boutique outdoor spa with sauna, epsom salt plunge, hot tub, teas, snacks and small group sessions.
  • Field Trip Sauna (Hanham) — woodland sauna on the river with cold river dips.

Suvi Sauna

📍 The Pickle Factory, Easton, Bristol BS5
📍 Clevedon Marine Lake, Clevedon BS21

Suvi Sauna is a Bristol-based independent sauna company with two permanent sites close to the city: one in Easton and another on Clevedon Marine Lake.

At the Easton site, the sauna sits within the gardens of The Pickle Factory and offers a quiet, tucked-away space with an eight person electric sauna and three ice baths. It feels secluded despite being in the middle of the city and is one of the smaller, more intimate sauna options in Bristol.

The Clevedon location is larger, with a barrel sauna overlooking the marine lake beside the Salthouse Bar and Restaurant. It runs seven days a week throughout the year and can welcome up to eighteen people per hour. Sessions here are either thirty or sixty minutes depending on the day.

Across all locations, Suvi Sauna keeps temperatures between 75°C and 100°C and offers both heat and cold water options as part of its sessions.

Sensate Spa & Studios

📍The Garden, 68 Northumbria Drive, Bristol BS9 4HW

Sensate Spa and Studios is a small outdoor spa tucked away in Henleaze, offering a peaceful escape built around rest, stillness and simple wellness. It is a boutique space rather than a traditional community sauna, but its relaxed atmosphere and natural setting make it a gentle alternative for those who prefer a quieter, more private experience.

The spa experience includes access to a dry sauna, an old whisky barrel cold plunge filled with Epsom salt water, and a cedar hot tub. Guests move between warm and cold at their own pace, with herbal tea served throughout the session. The space is designed with recycled and upcycled materials, creating a calm garden setting that feels personal and hand built.

Group sizes are intentionally small, with space for up to six people in each session, and the option to book the entire space for private use. Sensate also offers yoga, meditation, movement classes and occasional events, making it a wider wellness hub as well as a spa.

Field Trip

📍Hencliffe Woods, Hanham (BS15 3NW)

Field Trip offers a quiet wood fired sauna in woodland on the banks of the River Avon, about twenty minutes from Bristol city centre. It is an atmospheric spot surrounded by trees and river views, and the sauna session pairs well with a cooling dip or river access afterwards. There is no cold plunge yet, but a cold shower and river access make it work for people who enjoy natural cold water. The setting is the main draw here, it feels like a small escape into nature without travelling far from the city. Field Trip usually opens at weekends, and also offers private bookings when the public schedule is limited. Recently the sauna has been operating on reduced hours, so checking ahead is essential.

Bristol Sauna FAQs

What are the benefits of contrast therapy?

Contrast therapy involves moving between heat and cold. The warmth of the sauna can help relax muscles, ease tension and support circulation, while cold water can boost energy, reduce inflammation and aid recovery. Together they create a steady, calm and refreshed feeling that many people find grounding.

What can I expect during a sauna and cold water session?

Most sessions follow a gentle rhythm. You spend a short time in the sauna, step out to cool down or use a cold plunge, then repeat as often as you like. Some venues are chatty, while others are quiet and reflective. You can take things at your own pace and choose the style that suits you.

What should I take with me to a sauna and cold water session?

You will usually need swimwear, water, two towels and suitable footwear such as sliders or crocs. A warm layer for after your session is helpful, especially on cooler days. Each venue has its own guidelines, but these basics will serve you well across most community saunas.

How long should I stay in the sauna?

There is no strict rule. Most people stay for eight to twelve minutes before cooling down, but you can stay for more or less depending on comfort. Listen to your body. If you feel light headed, overly hot or uncomfortable, step out and cool down.

How much do community saunas in Bristol cost?

Prices vary, but most sessions fall between £10 and £20 depending on the venue and session length. Some saunas offer memberships or multi session passes that reduce the cost. Always check the sauna’s website for the latest prices before booking.

Do I have to use the cold water?

No. Cold water is optional. Many people enjoy the contrast between heat and cold, but you can still have a great session using only the sauna. Some guests start gently by dipping their feet or splashing their face before trying a full plunge.

Are community saunas in Bristol suitable for beginners?

Yes. Community saunas welcome people of all experience levels. You can take breaks, cool down whenever you need to and move at your own pace. If you have any medical concerns, it is always best to check with a healthcare professional before your visit.

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