Saunas are hot right now.
They’re popping up left, right and centre, on rooftops, under archways and even on wheels.
And while our perspiring ancestors might not have imagined that saunas would captivate the city the way they have while they were warming themselves by a log-burning fire 4,000 years ago, we like to think they’d be proud of us as we mop our brows under the glow of an infrared lamp.
Adding to the mix of the best saunas in London is Social Sauna in Peckham. It’s located in a railway arch that sits alongside a clutch of other wellness-centric spots, including PLUM Pilates, a fitness centre and rock-climbing gym Muro Peckham. You could consider it SE15’s answer to the Meyer Clinic, only without the Austrian alps.
Inside the arch, it’s all dim lighting, low ambient music and artfully-scattered house plants. There’s a kind prompt to kick off your outdoor shoes and then you’re invited to slip into your swimmers and optional banya bonnet before your sauna session.
The 14-capacity sauna is set to a toasty 85 degrees and socialising, as the name suggests, is encouraged. The idea is to create an environment that’s safe, open and generally enjoyable for communal schvitzing. But try and save the wildly elaborate anecdotes and expressive hand gestures for the pub, as chat is maintained at library volume.
Outside, there are also three baths; two chilled to a bracing 6 degrees and one at ambient temperature. Booking via the Social Sauna Club website is highly recommended as the slots get filled up well in advanced. It’s worth noting, towels and indoor shoes aren’t provided so it’s best to bring your own.
There are four types of sessions you can choose from, which run each week….
Social Sauna: Gives you access to the sauna and ice baths for 1hr 45 minutes. You can also arrive well before your session, enjoy a warm cup of tea or an alcohol-free cocktail.
Wellbeing Sauna: These are 1hr 45 minute sessions led by a specialist facilitator. You get access to the sauna and ice baths, along with guided activities including traditional sauna rituals, breath work, meditation, deep listening or stretchy yoga.
Ambient Sauna: Friday and Saturday evening sessions are soundtracked by DJs. You get a one-hour slot to use the sauna and ice baths before relaxing in the lounge. There’s also a cocktail bar with a selection of non-alcoholic and alcoholic tipples to quench your thirst post steam.
Essential Sauna: This is a 50-minute off-peak session, where you’re free to dip into the sauna and ice baths in your own time.
More than group sweating, Social Sauna Club is also committed to its community and it offers unwaged tickets for anyone who doesn’t earn a wage or isn’t able to afford the full price ticket. The arms-open approach to wellness is clearly working as they’re currently building a mezzanine level to house another sauna, creating more space for those keen to sweat, plunge, chat or simply chill.
NOTE: Social Sauna Club is open Wednesday-Sunday. Packages start at £14 for the Essential Sauna session. There are outdoor changing rooms and showers but towels and indoor shoes are not included so you might want to bring your own. You can find out more and book ahead Social Sauna Club website.
Social Sauna Club | Railway Arch 842 Brayards Road, Peckham SE15 2AG
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