Best Saunas in Kent (2025): Coastal Retreats, Wood‑Fired Wellness, and Hidden Gems

Sea Scrub Sauna – Whitstable Harbour

Right on the pebbles of Whitstable Beach, this wood‑fired sauna offers an unbeatable sea view. Open year-round and run by the popular Sea Scrub brand, it’s a perfect spot for a steamy session before or after a dip in the ocean.

With panoramic sea views and a breeze off the water, it’s ideal for a relaxing dip followed by a steamy session. Booking is easy via their site, and sessions run year-round. It’s rustic, minimalist, and perfect for anyone craving a salty steam session by the sea.

Facilities: Wood‑fired barrel sauna, changing rooms, showers, two cold plunge barrels, scenic harbour views

Address: Harbour Street, Whitstable, CT5 1AB

Prices & Sessions:

• Social session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £14 for members and £16 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £15 for members and £18 for non-members
• Private session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £110 for members and £140 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £130 for members and £150 for non-members
• Memberships: £30 per year, or £30 per month which includes free sessions and other perks

Sea Scrub Sauna – Main Sands Sands Beach

Located on the main sands near Dreamland, the Sea Scrub Sauna includes a wood-fired barrel sauna and an electric sauna. With unparalleled sea views, showers, and cold plunges, it is ideal for that scorching Kent heat. Sea Scrub’s Margate hub is nestled by the shore just past the beach huts. Think cosy, calming cedar heat with Atlantic views at your feet. Open to all, with private bookings available, this sea sauna is ideal for wellness lovers who want a seaside sauna without the crowd.

Facilities: Nordic barrel sauna, electric sauna, changing room, cold‑plunge barrels, hot stone showers, Bluetooth stereo, sea views

Margate Main Sands Beach also offers a popular tidal pool.

Address: Marine Terrace, Margate, CT9 1XJ

Prices & Sessions:

• Social session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £14 for members and £16 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £15 for members and £18 for non-members
• Private session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £80 for members and £100 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £90 for members and £110 for non-members
• Memberships: £30 per year, or £30 per month which includes free sessions and other perks

Sea Scrub Sauna – Macknade, Faversham

This sauna is not near the coast but it is still worth a shout. Sea Scrub’s Faversham location at Macknade is tucked off the beaten path. It’s a wood-fired barrel sauna set in a rural oasis, with outdoor showers, a cold plunge, and bonfire area. Great for those seeking calm countryside vibes instead of coastal breezes, all within easy reach of Kent’s northern towns.

Facilities: Wood‑fired barrel sauna, indoor/outdoor changing spaces, hot tub, two cold plunge barrels, two showers, fire circle – set in a community hub

Address: Selling Road, Faversham, ME13 8XF

Prices and sessions:

• Social session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £14 for members and £16 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £15 for members and £18 for non-members
• Private session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £140 for members and £150 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £150 for members and £175 for non-members
• Memberships: £30 per year, or £30 per month which includes free sessions and other perks

Prices and sessions with the inclusion of hot tub access:

• Social session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £20 for members and £25 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £24 for members and £30 for non-members
• Private session: Off-peak (Monday to Friday) is £190 for members and £200 for non‑members. Peak (Saturday and Sunday) is £200 for members and £225 for non-members
• Memberships: £30 per year, or £30 per month which includes free sessions and other perks

The People Care Planet Care Community Sauna – Walpole Bay, Margate

Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, the UK’s largest tidal pool, offers a safe and scenic spot for saltwater dips. It fills with seawater twice daily and even draws in curious seals.

Right next to it, the free People Care Planet Care Community Sauna provides a cosy retreat post-swim. Inspired by Reykjavik, this eco-conscious, volunteer-run sauna uses sustainably sourced wood and fosters strong community spirit.

This volunteer-run, free-to-use community sauna is unique in the UK. It runs on wood and welcomes walks-ons, bringing people together in a warm, inclusive atmosphere. A true community sauna where donations are welcome, no membership is required, and locals often say it’s like “a pub without the booze.”

Facilities: Volunteer-run wood-fired sauna in a restored Victorian bathing machine, adjacent to tidal pool – ideal for sea dip & sauna combo

Address: Opposite Walpole Bay Tidal Pool, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2LN

Prices: Free to use

Opening times:

• Open daily from 9am to 3pm

Steampunk Sauna – Dover Seafront

Add a splash of industrial flair with the Dover Steampunk Sauna – an iron-clad, wood-fired sauna perched near the East Cliff. It’s private, quirky, and perfect for small groups or intimate sessions. Expect rough-hewn charm, changing facilities, and sea views through riveted windows. Open year-round by appointment.

Facilities: Luxury wood-fired sauna

Address: Near the Entrance, Betteshanger Park ,Sandwich Road, Deal, CT14 0BF

Prices and sessions:

• Private session (1 hour) for up to 5 people costs £60 with the use of cold water plunge

Rebels Dover Sauna and Coffee

This innovative setup offers a perfect mix of coastal calm and edgy community spirit. Located right on Dover’s historic Wellington Dock, Rebels Sauna & Coffee combines an authentic wood-fired sauna experience with a laid-back cafe atmosphere. You can warm up in the barrel sauna while watching the boats drift by, then cool off with a plunge in the dock itself. The aroma of great coffee mingles with the sea breeze – this is sauna culture with a Kentish twist.

Ideal for locals and travellers seeking wellness, cold dips, and social vibes by the water.

Facilities: Wood-fired barrel sauna, cold water plunge in the dock, waterfront views, coffee bar, deck chairs, changing hut

Address: Rebels Dover, Marine Parade, Dover, CT16 1LA

Prices and sessions:

• Premium Membership (drop in anytime plus unlimited session) costs £40 per month​. Premium members have unlimited access 7 days a week
• Community Membership (for Dover resident only) costs £100 for 1 year. Community Membership gives access to dawn and dusk weekday sessions
• Walk in sessions (drop in from 8am to 6pm) costs £10 for 1 hour. These walk in sessions are available all day without membership.

Opening times:

• Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm.
• Weekends 9am to 6pm (5pm Sunday)

Folkestone Sea Sauna – Lower Leas Coastal Park, Folkestone

A members-only club with stunning ocean vistas; saunas are followed by invigorating sea dips. Annual membership costs around £95/year, with a waiting list but it has high appeal for wellness-seekers wanting consistent access to seaside heat therapy.

This Nordic-inspired, members-only sauna sits above Lower Leas beach with sweeping coastal views. Perfect for hot-and-cold therapy sessions – sauna heat, sea plunge, repeat. It runs mainly for members but opens occasionally for day-use events. A vibrant blend of coastal wellness and community.

Facilities: Traditional Finnish-style sauna cabin, changing space, sea access

Address: Folkestone Rowing Club, Parade Road, Sandgate, Folkestone CT20 3AL

Prices and sessions:

• Sauna membership is £95 plus a Registration fee of £25
• Sauna membership with concessions (for over 60s, Students, those in receipt of benefits) is £85 plus a Registration fee of £25

During the opening hours, members are free to use the sauna as much as they like. Bookings are neither required nor possible.

Please note that at the time of writing, all memberships are paused due to high demand so a waiting list is in place.

Opening times (members only):

• Monday – Friday: 6:30 to 13:00
• Tuesday – Friday: 16:30 to 21:00
• Saturday: 8:00 to 14:00
• Sunday: 8:00 to 18:00

Finnish Olympic Sauna in Aylesford (closed)

Though currently closed, the historic Finnish Olympic Sauna in Aylesford remains a landmark in Kent’s sauna heritage. Originally constructed for the 1948 London Olympic Games, this prefabricated wooden sauna was gifted by the Finnish delegation and later relocated to Ditton, near Aylesford. It’s believed to be Britain’s oldest sauna and possibly the oldest Olympic sauna still in existence globally.

The sauna was in active use by the Cobdown Sauna Club, a group of former employees of the local paper mill until it closed in 2020 due to electrical and safety issues. Since then, the structure has been granted Grade II listed status, recognising its architectural and cultural significance.

While it’s not currently operating, preservation efforts continue, and there’s hope that the sauna may one day reopen. In the meantime, its story adds a rich historical layer to Kent’s vibrant sauna culture.

Facilities (when open): Traditional Finnish wood‑fired sauna, riverside plunge, communal sauna space

Address: Cobdown Park, Station Road, Ditton, Aylesford, ME20 6DD

Status: Closed since 2020 due to safety and maintenance concerns

Plans: Now protected by Historic England as a Grade II listed structure, with potential restoration pending future funding

Why it’s special:

• Deep ties to community and wellness in Kent for over 70 years
• A unique Olympic relic used by Finnish athletes during the 1948 Games
• A rare example of postwar prefab timber architecture

Why Are Coastal Saunas in Kent So Popular?

Wellness benefits: Hot-and-cold therapy boosts mood, immunity, and circulation

Staycation trend: More Brits are seeking wellness holidays close to home

Community appeal: Many saunas in Kent are affordable, volunteer-led or eco-friendly

Photogenic settings: From sea views to steampunk cabins, they’re perfect for Instagram

Conclusion: Steam, Sea, and Social Good

Whether you’re escaping city stress or embracing seaside serenity, Kent’s sauna offerings deliver heat, healing, and a hit of community spirit. These spots aren’t just about breaking a sweat; they’re about slowing down, reconnecting, and enjoying the coast in a meaningful way.

If you’re into wellness tourism, cold water therapy, or quirky weekend retreats, Kent’s sauna scene is worth getting hot about.