Is it a miracle machine? A weight-loss trick? A cardiovascular threat? The internet has opinions. But behind the vapour is something simpler and deeper: a space for warmth, rest, and ritual. A space where myth often overshadows truth.

Sweat bathing is an ancient practice with deep roots. There are many living traditions, some of which are recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage. Britain, too, has its own bathing past: quiet, fragmented, often forgotten. But today, a vibrant new culture is emerging. And as with all cultural movements, to understand where we’re going, we first look to where we’ve been.

Now in its 3rd year, the 2025 UK Aufguss Championships saw the spectacle of sauna theatre performed against a backdrop of skyscrapers in Canary Wharf, London.

We’re delighted to announce that the British Sauna Society will be collaborating with Dr Martha Newson and the University of Greenwich at the UK Aufguss Championships in Canary Wharf, London, 18-20 May, to explore how sauna culture contributes to wellbeing, particularly through ritual, shared experiences and identities.

It’s that time of year again - we’ve just opened up nominations for this year’s Sauna Summit Awards. Voting is open to the public, who can put forward the saunas in the UK that are raising the bar on authentic sauna experiences.

The British Sauna Society has taken the next step in its evolution, and incorporated as a social enterprise. Working with Patrick Andrews, the Barefoot Lawyer, its new organisational structure prioritises equality and transparency.

Tickets have just gone on sale for the 3rd UK Aufguss Championships which sees the country’s top sauna masters compete in a showcase of skill, performance, and heat. Taking place at Arc Canary Wharf on 18-19 May 2024, champions from the single and team categories will go on to represent the UK at the Aufguss WM Finals in Italy this September.

On Monday 20th May, the British Sauna Society hosted its first Sauna Summit, attracting some 250 delegates from all over the UK and Ireland, the US, Norway and Finland.

Nearly 30 saunas across the UK are offering NHS staff and link workers free sauna sessions in March and April 2024.

British Sauna Society believes this innovative remnant of modular post-war timber construction, donated by the Finnish Olympic team, is the oldest surviving purpose-built sauna in the UK and the earliest surviving Olympic sauna in the world.

Galgorm in Belfast, Northern Ireland, has been announced as the next venue for the UK Aufguss Championships, taking place Monday 22nd - Wednesday 24th April 2024.

Today is World Mental Health Day and here at the BSS we want to shine a light on the remarkable mental health benefits of sauna, and cold plunge. Here’s a few highlights on how sauna has been found to be beneficial to mental health in scientific literature.

Emma O’Kelly, author of Sauna the Power of Deep Heat has shared the same Estonian smoke sauna as film director Anna Hints (though not at the same time). Here Emma interviews Anna about her new film, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January 2023 and won Anna a Directing Award. Anna grew up in Võru County, a region famed for its smoke sauna tradition and the film is on tour across the UK.

Fiona Golfar covers the UK’s vibrant sauna movement in the weekend edition’s HTSI supplement (formerly How To Spend It).