From woodland cabins to design-led barns by the coast, these are the UK’s best stays for winter — where turning up the heat is part of the appeal.
Britain is in the grips of a sauna boom. According to the British Sauna Society, the number of public saunas in the UK doubled from 45 to 90 between 2023 and 2024, with more than 200 expected to appear by the end of the year.
As the benefits of heat bathing — better circulation, deeper sleep, calmer minds — move firmly into the mainstream, we’re finally doing as the Finns have long advised: turn up the temperature, slow everything else down.
But while sleek urban bathhouses and glossy hotel spas abound, many of us prefer our sweat sessions with a little more solitude. Enter the rising wave of British homestays equipped with private sauna cabins — barrel-shaped in the woods, mirrored among ferns or tucked into modern cottages. These are hideaways where you can sink into warmth and silence without sharing the bench.
Below, Living360 shares the best sauna staycations in the UK, from beachside cabins to northern woodland sanctuaries.
Read more: Steam Infrared Saunas: Which Is Better For Your Health?
Best sauna staycations in the UK
Drovers Run — Chard, Dorset
A dreamy bolthole for solo escapes or a couples’ break, this open-plan retreat leans into slow living: long lie-ins, breakfast in bed, sunlight pouring across timber floors.
Step outside and you’ll find a deeply relaxing private barrel sauna overlooking a quiet meadow — the kind of space where time seems to stretch and soften.
- Sleeps: two in one room
- Short breaks from: £352
- Book with Rural Retreats
Swan Cottage — Dorchester, Dorset
Framed by a tranquil lake, this elegant cottage is practically designed for mindfulness. Begin the day on the balcony, watching mist lift from the water.
After a session in the on-site gym, unwind in the comforting heat of the sauna — an ideal endnote to a restorative rural escape.
- Sleeps: two in one room
- Short breaks from: £446
- Book with Rural Retreats
Kuro Cabin — Maxworthy, Cornwall
Tucked deep in the Cornish countryside, this minimalist cabin is a cocoon for two.
Think pared-back Japandi interiors, huge windows framing woodland and a seriously inviting outdoor set-up: hot tub, sauna, firepit and an outdoor shower for cold plunges.
A weekend here is pure nervous-system reset.
- Sleeps: two in one room
- Short breaks from: £210 per night
- Book with Airbnb
The Owl’s Nest — East Allington, Devon
A whimsical, grown-up treehouse with a deck suspended among the treetops. After wandering forest trails or slipping off for a beach swim, return to your private sauna and wood-fired hot tub.
A stay that feels like stepping out of time — and into calm.
- Sleeps: two in one room
- Short breaks from: £260 per night
- Book with Airbnb
Acorn Cottage — Bovey Tracey, Devon
Set in 24 acres of serene countryside, Acorn Cottage delivers both charm and amenities. There’s a private garden hot tub, heated indoor pool, sauna and even an all-weather tennis court.
A lovely pick for families or small groups wanting wellness with options.
- Sleeps: four in two rooms
- Short breaks from: £592
- Book with Rural Retreats
The Old Chapel — Pentney, Norfolk
A striking converted chapel with sweeping rural views, stylish interiors, and both a private sauna and hot tub.
It’s ideal for groups seeking comfort and countryside calm, with plenty of room to unwind after long walks across Norfolk’s gentle landscapes.
- Sleeps: six in three rooms
- Short breaks from: £753
- Book with Rural Retreats
Fallow Folly — Little Massingham, Norfolk
A luxurious converted stable and hayloft offering a wellness-rich escape: indoor pool, six-person sauna, tennis court and a pétanque court.
Families and groups will find both entertainment and serenity in equal measure, all wrapped in rustic-chic charm.
- Sleeps: seven in three rooms
- Short breaks from: £1,183
- Book with Rural Retreats
Acorn Lodge — Whitstable, Kent
This award-winning converted barn is all sleek lines, warm woods and curated design touches.
Outside, the shared wellness zone feels like a private spa retreat — log sauna, ice baths, outdoor shower — and the seaside buzz of Whitstable is just minutes away.
- Sleeps: two in one room
- Short breaks from: £195 per night
- Book with Airbnb
The Mirror Houses — Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire
Set beside a shimmering lake within a polo club estate, these mirrored micro-cabins blend into the surrounding woodland.
Inside, it’s compact luxury; outside, a private sauna provides the perfect counterpoint to long walks, cold dips and deer-spotting at dawn.
- Sleeps: two in one room
- Short breaks from: £290 per night
- Book with Airbnb
 Tiptoe Retreat — near Etal, Northumberland
One of England’s most northerly sauna stays, Tiptoe Retreat sits within an enchanted pocket of Northumberland woodland.
Its sleek, Scandinavian-inspired cabins lead to a mirrored sauna tucked among the trees.
Private, atmospheric and wonderfully restorative — it’s a place where the world falls quiet.
- Sleeps: two, four or five
- Short stays from: £200 per night
- Book with Tiptoe Retreat
Feature image: Canva
