Whether you're already familiar with the benefits of Nordic cycle hot and cold therapy, or you're looking to give it a go for the first time, SoGlos rounds up a handful of scenic spots in Gloucestershire to try.
Scenic Sauna in Northleach
Located at Far Peak in Northleach, Scenic Sauna offers 50-minute sessions including access to its charming wood sauna, temperature-controlled ice baths, cold water rainfall shower, and relaxation area, surrounded by verdant Cotswold countryside.
Scenic Sauna offers both communal and private sauna sessions from £18 per person, as well as hot and cold coaching, and regular classes, socials and workshops, from Wim Hof and yoga to sound bathing and meditation.
Elmore Wild near Gloucester
As well as its charming treehouses overlooking the rewilded grounds of the Elmore Estate, Elmore Wild offers a variety of nature-led experiences, including sauna and wild swimming.
Guests at Elmore Court or in the treehouses can book a sauna and wild swimming experience to access the Nordic-inspired sauna and wild swimming pond – also known as the Bottomless Pool – during their stay. Group sessions cost from £25 per person, with private sessions available on request.
Embers Sauna in Wotton-under-Edge
Perched on the egde of Cromhall Quarry, Embers Sauna offers traditional, Finnish-style wood-fired saunas next to one of the country's best cold water swimming spots.
Sauna sessions cost £8 for 30 minutes or £12 for 60 minutes, with an additional £3 charge for access to The Lake for swimming. The lake water is naturally filtered through limestone, making it crystal clear and pristine, so it's well worth the extra cost to experience.
Court Farm Lakes near Lydney
Court Farm Lakes on the outskirts of Lydney offers everything from wild swimming and stand-up paddleboarding on its private, members-only lake, to yoga, fitness classes, and wellbeing retreats.
Its 60-minute drop-in sauna and swim sessions cost £16 each, with multi-session passes and annual memberships available for regular users, too. It even offers 'clothing optional' sessions for a more natural experience.
Sauna at the Cottage near Gloucester
The Sauna at the Cottage in Ashleworth, just outside Gloucester, offers a luxury wood-fired sauna and cold water therapy experience, surrounded by glorious countryside.
Group sessions cost from £15 per person, while private experiences cost £60 for up to six people – with picnic and pizza oven packages, sauna and supper club events, and even seasonal retreats on offer, too.
St Anthony's Well near Cinderford
Perhaps the wildest of spots on this list, tucked away in the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean, not far from Cinderford, lies St Anthony's Well – a sacred spring and popular cold water dipping spot. According to local legend, people have been going there for centuries, seeking relief from skin conditions by bathing in the water at sunrise nine times in the month of May!
These days the well still holds spiritual significance for some, for others it's a unique and beautiful way to enjoy the benefits of cold water immersion surrounded by nature.
