In London, saunas are popping up on rooftops in Hackney, in a church in Rotherhithe and in railway arches in Peckham

London’s sauna landscape is diversifying with new installations appearing in unconventional spaces across the city. Recent developments include rooftop saunas in Hackney, a conversion within a church in Rotherhithe, and the utilization of railway arches in Peckham. This growth reflects a broader national trend; the British Sauna Society reports that the number of public saunas in the UK doubled between 2023 and 2024, with projections suggesting the market will double again by the end of 2025.

In Canary Wharf, Arc has opened as the UK’s largest sauna, featuring a main chamber for 85 people and eight custom-designed ice baths for contrast therapy. Meanwhile, Sauna Social Club in Peckham offers a more community-focused environment within a railway arch, providing both silent and chatty heat rooms alongside a Japanese-style relaxation area. These venues are increasingly positioned as alcohol-free social hubs, with operators noting a demographic shift as younger Londoners swap traditional pubs for communal wellness experiences and "sauna parties."

The focus at many of these new sites is on contrast therapy and traditional rituals like aufguss—theatrical steam infusions led by sauna masters. Beyond the physical health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular performance, owners emphasize the social wellness aspect of the experience. By removing smartphones and alcohol from the equation, these spaces are becoming intentional meeting places for those seeking a nervous system reset through extreme temperature shifts.