Bristol has hit peak sauna. If it’s not a sauna in a city farm, it’s a sauna on a boat or in an ex-wildlife park. Now, it’s a sauna trail showcasing the breadth and depth of Bristol’s growing sauna culture. What better way to fight the January blues than this healthy hangout?
Dreamt up by Bristol’s biggest dreamer, Johnny Palmer, The Bristol Sauna Trail looks to transform the city into a “sauna city”, as well as raising money for men’s cold water swimming charity, Ice Breakers UK. Aimed at the sauna-curious and sauna-converts alike, there are a dozen saunas in the region to visit for just £30.
The catch is that you have to complete the trail in one day (Saturday, January 17, 2026). It’s highly unlikely (although I’m sure someone will try) you will visit them all—The Bristol Sauna Trail runs from 10am to 6pm—but as most sauna sessions are £10 to £15, you only need to visit a handful to make it worth the money.
“The sauna movement in Bristol has taken off in the last few years,” said Johnny Palmer, founder and Gusmeister. “Many cultures throughout the world have had traditions and rituals around heat therapy going back thousands of years, but Britain only just caught on.”
“Sauna is a great way to bring people together to share joy, connection and overcome challenges. The mental and physical health benefits are well known and we are still learning more about how sauna helps people. Bristol has a great track record of collaborative working and this trail is an extension of that approach into the sauna space”
Just some of the saunas involved are Aether at Warleigh Weir—one of the UK’s best wild swimming spots—Orchard Sauna hidden in Windmill Hill City Farm, and Sivo Wellness (which was started by two Bristol Bears players). Plus, Bristol Wild Sauna in Fishponds, Fire and Ice in Westbury, Ardagh Sauna in Horfield and Sansate Spa in Henleaze.
To learn more about The Bristol Sauna Trail and get your tickets, head here.