Question 1

How can I get a printable Gift Card?

Accepted Answer

Want something to print out to give to the lucky recipient to go with the booking details? Here it is!

Download here and print out there!

Question 2

Loyalty Cards

Accepted Answer

When you book a Private Sauna, please ask a member of our team about The Forest Sauna Loyalty Card. The person who booked the sauna will get a stamp on their Loyalty Card when arriving. Their 10th Sauna will be free!

Question 3

Who can use the Sauna?

Accepted Answer

Up to eight people for 65-minute sessions. If you are pregnant or have any underlying health problems, please seek advice from your doctor before booking. Listen to your body, take lots of breaks, and keep hydrated.

Anyone under the age of 16 using the sauna must be accompanied by an adult. We regret that children under the age of 13 are not permitted to use the sauna during a private session but please look out for our family sauna offerings in the future.

Remember to sign our waiver form before arriving for your session. By using the sauna you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the waiver so it is important to read it and sign it before you come.

Question 4

Is eight the maximum group size?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for comfort and safety this is really the most that can comfortably use our sauna at a time, however, if you have a larger group, you may be able to book two sessions back-to-back and cycle through the sauna and plunge areas (particularly if you also book our alfresco gathering space) so that you can all enjoy the experience together.

Question 5

Can I come on my own?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! We highly recommend it! And many people do. It’s a rare treat to find yourself with some time to think (or not think!) and bathe in nature, heat and cold to leave feeling like your batteries are fully recharged.

Question 6

Can we come in as a couple or small group?

Accepted Answer

Definitely - this is our most common type of sauna experience. Though the maximum is 8 at one time, a couple or small group experience is particularly wonderful.

Question 7

How can I contact you?

Accepted Answer

Please email Tamara on tamara@theforestsauna.com

Question 8

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

You can reschedule or cancel your booking yourself via our system up to 48 hours before. After this time – no refunds are given.

We regret that we can't give a refund or credit if less than 48hrs notice is given. We do not refund ‘no shows’.

If closed due to any reason of our own, a full refund or credit will be given at any time. In the event that we cancel a booking, you will be notified by email / mobile and refunded / credited.

Please note that The Forest Sauna reserves the right to refuse admission to intoxicated persons or for other reasons that may be deemed a health and safety risk. Refunds will not be offered to anyone refused admission on these or similar grounds.

Question 9

What should I bring with me?

Accepted Answer

You don’t need much! We recommend bringing two towels (one to sit on and one to dry with), swimwear and a filled water bottle, as well as, for the winter months, a dryrobe or something warm to change back into after the experience. A changing area and cupboards to store small amounts of possessions in adverse weather is provided.

Question 10

Where can I park?

Accepted Answer

The turning for Happy River Retreat is directly opposite a red post box outside The Silent Woman Pub. You will see a wooden sign that says ‘Happy River’ nailed to the tree. Turn in to a farm track and go a short way until you see a swing up to the left into a car park.

Free parking at Happy River Retreat is provided for the duration of your sauna visit but regrettably not beyond – so if you are planning on a walk in the forest or similar, please relocate your car to the Sika Trail car park which is a public space a few hundred yards up the road from us and also has access to the beautiful Wareham Forest.

All instructions will be provided in your booking email. Please wait in the car park to be greeted by a member of the Forest Sauna team. If you don’t see anyone, please message 07855 323937.

Question 11

Should I plan extra travel time when coming to The Forest Sauna?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we recommend allowing an extra 10 minutes for your journey, especially if your session is in the evening during rush hour. This way, you can arrive feeling relaxed and ready to fully enjoy your sauna experience.

Question 12

Where can I leave my belongings?

Accepted Answer

You will be able to leave a small amount of belongings in the changing area at your own risk. Any overflow of items that don't fit in the changing room will need to be left outside. We recommend travelling light and leaving anything you don’t need safely locked in your car.

Question 13

How can I book a private Sauna & Supper or Sauna & Breakfast experience?

Accepted Answer

Every private sauna experience is a bespoke package, tailored just for your group. To book, simply email us at hello@theforestsauna.com with your preferred date, time, and number of guests. We’ll then be in touch to create your personalised Sauna & Supper or Sauna & Breakfast experience.

Question 14

How does the 60-minute Sauna Experience work?

Accepted Answer

Check out our how it works and health benefits section.

Question 15

Can I cancel / reschedule?

Accepted Answer

We understand that life happens! So our booking system allows you to reschedule yourself, up to 48 hours before your sauna. Click the 'My bookings' tab in the footer of the website.

If there is less than 48 hours before your sauna, we regret that we cannot reschedule.

You can reschedule a maximum of two times. If you would like to cancel, please see our cancellation terms and if you are within the terms you will be able to cancel your booking yourself.

Question 16

My Gift Card has expired. Can I extend it?

Accepted Answer

Gift Cards are valid for nine months and we recommend that you make a note in your diary to be sure to use your Gift Card before its expiry date.

We regret that if a Gift Card is not redeemed within this timeframe, it is no longer valid and cannot be transferred/exchanged.

Question 17

How do I use my discount code?

Accepted Answer

Just input your code at checkout and your discount, if still valid, will automatically be applied.

Question 18

Can I go naked?

Accepted Answer

At the moment we ask all our guests to wear swimwear. Please watch this space however, as we are planning to run some naturist sessions during our event calendar in 2025.

Question 19

Can I take food and drinks into the sauna?

Accepted Answer

No. Food and sauna and/or alcohol and sauna do not mix! Please save all your savouries, sweets and treats for before or after your experience.

You are welcome to take your water bottle into the sauna but please bear in mind that it does get very hot in there - warming up every item that goes in so metal water bottles are not recommended and plastic ones may also suffer from the heat. The best idea is to rehydrate when you come out of the sauna for a break.

Question 20

Can I keep my jewellery on?

Accepted Answer

Only if you want to experience red hot earrings! We ask that you remove all jewellery, watches and anything that could heat up and cause you discomfort/injury.

Due to it being a wild space we suggest you take it off and store it somewhere safe before your visit to minimise the risk of anything getting lost.

Question 21

Can I put water on the stove?

Accepted Answer

For an authentic experience, customers can manage the 'löyly' (the steam that rises from the sauna stove), allowing control of humidity and intensity.

Adding water over the rocks humidifies the session and is one of the best aspects of a wood-fired sauna. However, please remember not to dump water on the rocks; instead, gently drizzle water on with a ladle intermittently, until the heat reaches an appropriate level. Please be aware that the handle of the ladle (and everything else in the sauna!) gets hot. Please take care and we recommend using the glove.

Question 22

I think I left something. Do you have it?

Accepted Answer

Please email us if you think you lost/left something behind at the Forest Sauna. We keep items for a maximum of one month and then we donate them to charity.

Question 23

What is your Covid-19 policy?

Accepted Answer

Sufficient sauna ventilation is one of the most integral aspects of an authentic Finnish sauna. A constant source of fresh air ensures the hot air is well circulated and used air removed before it becomes stagnant. For your safety, our sauna and changing room are also fully ventilated and cleaned between each group to ensure fresh air quality.

If you or anyone in your party isn’t feeling 100% we ask that you show kindness to others and yourself by not joining the session and postponing to another time. Wherever possible for individuals we will try to find you an alternative session (though we unfortunately can’t cancel a private group session for one participant).

Book a
Sauna

How can I get a printable Gift Card?

Loyalty Cards

Who can use the Sauna?

Is eight the maximum group size?

Can I come on my own?

Can we come in as a couple or small group?

How can I contact you?

What is your cancellation policy?

What should I bring with me?

Where can I park?

Should I plan extra travel time when coming to The Forest Sauna?

Where can I leave my belongings?

How can I book a private Sauna & Supper or Sauna & Breakfast experience?

How does the 60-minute Sauna Experience work?

Can I cancel / reschedule?

My Gift Card has expired. Can I extend it?

How do I use my discount code?

Can I go naked?

Can I take food and drinks into the sauna?

Can I keep my jewellery on?

Can I put water on the stove?

I think I left something. Do you have it?

What is your Covid-19 policy?

FAQ

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How can I get a printable Gift Card?

Loyalty Cards

Who can use the Sauna?

Is eight the maximum group size?

Can I come on my own?

Can we come in as a couple or small group?

How can I contact you?

What is your cancellation policy?

What should I bring with me?

Where can I park?

Should I plan extra travel time when coming to The Forest Sauna?

Where can I leave my belongings?

How can I book a private Sauna & Supper or Sauna & Breakfast experience?

How does the 60-minute Sauna Experience work?

Can I cancel / reschedule?

My Gift Card has expired. Can I extend it?

How do I use my discount code?

Can I go naked?

Can I take food and drinks into the sauna?

Can I keep my jewellery on?

Can I put water on the stove?

I think I left something. Do you have it?

What is your Covid-19 policy?

FAQ

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