The UK has over 850 saunas, but this one has the best views

Sauna and sauna bathing is a ritual believed to date back as far as 7,000 BC in Finland (Picture: Saltbox Sauna) 2026 is the year of the sauna. Over the past three years, the number of public saunas in the UK has increased by 1,900% – jumping from just 45 to somewhere around 850. Traditionally a Finnish pastime, it’s safe to say that Brits have now fully embraced the culture. Londoners flock to saunas in Peckham and Hackney Wick to escape city life and catch up with friends beside the cold plunge, while in the countryside, locals spend long Sunday afternoons in off-grid cabins. And as we move towards autumn, there’s a new way to unwind on the horizon: sauna sessions under the stars. Saltbox Sauna is home to one of the most exciting wellness experiences in the UK. Located in the Outer Hebrides, a 130-mile-long archipelago off the west coast of mainland Scotland, its the perfect place to gaze across the Atlantic before looking up to some of the darkest skies in the country. The USP? Location, location, location. The Outer Hebrides has some of the darkest skies in the country (Picture: Saltbox Sauna) The Outer Hebrides is a unique place. In fact, according to the Office for National Statistics, the islands recently topped the list for ‘personal wellbeing’ and have been described as ‘your very own slice of heaven’. With stunning white-sand beaches, clear turquoise water, ancient archaeological sites, and rich Gaelic tradition, it almost feels otherworldly. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. And what better way to take in such beauty than from inside a wood-fired sauna, complete with a large panoramic half-moon window framing those incredible sea views? But that’s not all. For anyone craving a night under the stars, there are few better places than the Outer Hebrides. This is because the islands have a Bortle light pollution rating of just 1.5, meaning the area has an exceptional, near-pristine dark sky. Famous for its complete lack of light pollution, locals even hold a festival each year to celebrate the dark skies above. The Outer Hebrides are known across the globe as being home to some of the most spectacular dark skies (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Hebridean Dark Skies Festival, hosted in Stornoway, takes place in February and attracts stargazers from around the world – keen to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way, the Andromeda Galaxy, or the Orion Nebula. Sauna bookings at Saltbox go well into the evening, with slots for 6pm and 7pm available online, so there’s nothing to stop you catching a glimpse at the beautiful night skies this autumn as you let your worries melt away. Visit one of Saltbox’s incredible saunas Interested? Here’s what you need to know. Saltbox Sauna first landed on the coastline in 2023, setting up shop on the Isle of Lewis and the Isle of Harris. Promoting an entirely off-grid wellness experience, customers can choose from three unique saunas. You, me, a sauna by the sea? (Picture: Saltbox Sauna) All of Saltbox’s saunas are mobile, so it’s worth checking the website ahead of your visit to make sure you’re heading to the right location. And perhaps book yourself a mid-morning massage as bookings are capped at 75 minutes per session. Shelly fits four to six people and is made of alder wood. Perfectly perched near the shoreline, an exclusive visit costs £105 – which works out at approximately £17.50 each forhalf a dozen people. Next up is Mara, a slightly larger sauna that can sit up to eight people. Often situated at Saltbox’s Northton site in Harris, you’re in close proximity to three Harris Distillery whisky barrels and a cold rainfall shower for you to cool off in or under. Who would you bring to Saltbox Sauna? (Picture: Saltbox Sauna) While there isn’t any direct access to the sea at this location, its charm is rooted in the expansive mountainous landscape. An afternoon here should set you back £130 for eight people. Finally, Saltbox’s biggest sauna is Sandy. Comfortable big enough to seat 12 guests across two levels of seating, you’ll typically find Sandy at Reef Beach, Uig or Bayble Beach. For £175, you can take your entire family along for a rural, natural, sauna experience. A totally off-grid experience for just £20 per person (Picture: Saltbox Sauna) Each sauna can produce temperatures up to 100 degrees celsius but Saltbox usually maintains them between 70 and 90 degrees. As it’s an outdoor sauna this can vary slightly according to wind direction and air temperature. If you’re planning a visit make sure to arrive in your swimwear as there isn’t a changing room nearby. There is a small entry porch with hooks for hanging your towel for drying. And…Breathe. Why not visit the sauna capital of the world? If you’ve embraced sauna culture this year, why not treat yourself to a trip to Tampere – located in southern Finland, tucked between two vast lakes, it’s a stunning and quiet city known for being the sauna capital of the world. In this destination, saunas are a way of life. There are more than 70 public saunas (some of which are 120 years old) throughout the city. They come in all shapes and sizes: floating saunas, art saunas, and even rooftop saunas — you’re spoilt for choice. Kaupinoja Sauna sits on the shores of Lake Näsijärvi and offers a cold plunge in the lake afterwards — all for just £10. If you fancy a bite to eat with your heat, Sauna Restaurant Kuumais the more urban option which offers a generous breakfast after (prices start from £11 — not including food). For a slice of history visit Rajaportti Sauna, the oldest public sauna in Finland celebrating its 120th birthday this year, which is built from stone rather than wood – it’s a nude option, but swimwear is also permitted, and it’s just £6 to enter. Take your pick! 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