Planning permission has been granted for the UK’s first public floating sauna at Liverpool Waters’ Princes Dock this autumn.
Proposals were first unveiled in February this year when waterside regeneration specialist, Peel Waters, and Liverpool-based WYLD Sauna revealed their plan to bring the traditional Nordic sauna experience to Liverpool.
WYLD Sauna was established by outdoor swimming and sauna addicts and, having seen first-hand the explosion of floating saunas across Scandinavia, they are bringing the experience to sites across the UK, starting with Liverpool.
The WYLD Sauna experience at Princes Dock will consist of a new floating pontoon containing a 30-person sauna, complete with two ice baths, two cold waterfall showers, four heated outdoor showers with salt rub, outdoor seating, changing rooms equipped with hair dryers, lockers, changing mirror and swimsuit dryers and, most importantly, direct access to jump straight into the water from the sauna.
Traditional Finnish saunas are restorative, comforting spaces that promote a deep sense of calm and offer numerous mental and physical health benefits – many of which are amplified by moving from the heat and plunging into cold water.
Jon Miller, co-founder of WYLD Sauna, said: “This is amazing news and we’re super excited to get started on this UK first at Liverpool Waters. We’re aiming to have the sauna installed in September, with a public launch soon after.
“In the meantime, our plans for WYLD Sauna are continuing to evolve and we can now reveal that, during the design process, we identified that sauna-goers are keen to enjoy refreshments and nibbles post sauna, so we have now incorporated a floating café for our guests to enjoy. We are also very keen to forge partnerships with local businesses such as gyms, hotels, clubs, tourist boards and wellness centres.
“We are planning lots of exciting activities to mark the opening, including a grand launch event, some exclusive pre-launch sessions, hosted guided tours, plus demonstrations and wellbeing workshops and talks to showcase the features and benefits of hot and cold contrast therapy, supported and organised by the British Sauna Society.”
Liza Marco, Senior Asset Manager for Liverpool Waters, said: “We are very excited that Liverpool Waters will be the first destination in the UK to have a public floating sauna and the location for this experience is perfect.
“We are looking forward to seeing Princes Dock buzzing with people enjoying WYLD Sauna, as well as the open water swimming, canoeing and yoga already on offer, alongside bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels, with the unique backdrop of cruises.”
She added: “Princes Dock is a great destination for our growing number of residents, visitors, and commuters who want to take a break and enjoy soaking up this incredible place, in the heart of Liverpool’s historic docks.”
WYLD Sauna will be open from early to late, Monday to Sunday, and sessions will be on a pay as you go basis starting from £5 an hour. Bookings will open mid-September.
