Lido Saunas UK (2026): Sweat-and-Swim Directory

Which UK lidos have saunas in 2026? Open-air pools that pair a sauna with a cold plunge - Brockwell, Saltdean, Cheltenham, Cambridge and more.

An Art Deco outdoor lido swimming pool on a bright day

Updated 25 June 2026 How we review →

By Rob Griffiths25 June 2026 · 9 min read

A lido sauna gives you the full Nordic cycle in one place: swim a length of cold open-air water, then warm through in a sauna a few steps away. A lido (a public outdoor swimming pool, usually Art Deco-era in Britain) is the natural home for contrast therapy (alternating hot sauna heat with a cold plunge or cold-pool dip), and a wave of UK pools added saunas through 2025 and into 2026.

UK lido saunas on one map

Interactive map requires JavaScript. 8 locations on this page:

Brockwell Lido - LONDON

Parliament Hill Lido - LONDON

Sea Lanes Canary Wharf - LONDON

Saltdean Lido - EAST SUSSEX

Cheltenham (Sandford Parks) Lido - GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Hilsea Lido - PORTSMOUTH

Jesus Green Lido - CAMBRIDGE

Petersfield Lido - HAMPSHIRE

Explore by region

LONDON

London

Brockwell, Parliament Hill and the new Sea Lanes lido at Canary Wharf.

SOUTH COAST

South Coast

Saltdean near Brighton, plus Hilsea in Portsmouth and Petersfield in Hampshire.

MIDLANDS & EAST

Cotswolds & East

Cheltenham's Nordic Spa and Cambridge's long Jesus Green pool.

LONDON · HERNE HILL

Pool 50m unheated
Sauna Outdoor + indoor
Outdoor sauna Cooler months
Listed Grade II Art Deco

Brockwell is the lido most people picture when they imagine a London open-air swim - an Olympic-length, unheated pool framed by a Grade II-listed 1937 Art Deco building in Brockwell Park. For sauna users it is one of the best-equipped: a cylindrical outdoor sauna runs in the cooler months, and there is a mixed indoor sauna and jacuzzi open year-round. Operations moved to Active Lambeth in 2026 after the previous operator entered administration, but the lido's future is now secured.

What we liked

Both an outdoor and a year-round indoor sauna
Genuine 50m cold-water pool for contrast swims
Easy to reach in south London

Watch out for

Very busy on warm weekends
Outdoor sauna is seasonal, not year-round

The closest thing London has to a one-stop Nordic cycle: swim cold, warm up, repeat - all within the same Art Deco walls.

LONDON · HAMPSTEAD HEATH

Pool 61m unheated
Sauna Winter season
Tickets 30 per session
Age 18+ only

On the edge of Hampstead Heath, Parliament Hill's stainless-steel 61-metre pool is a favourite of cold-water regulars. The sauna runs through the winter season and closes for summer, so it is the opposite of a year-round venue. Sessions are sold by the hour to adults only, with 30 tickets per session on a first-come, first-served basis - arrive early on cold mornings.

What we liked

Long pool ideal for cold-water lengths
Right on Hampstead Heath
Run by the City of London Corporation

Watch out for

Sauna is winter-only
Limited tickets sell out fast
Adults 18+ only for the sauna

LONDON · CANARY WHARF

Pool 50m, 6 lanes
Saunas Two, glass-fronted
Opens Summer 2026
Power Renewable

Due to open in summer 2026 at Eden Dock, Sea Lanes Canary Wharf is a six-lane, 50-metre freshwater pool that floats on the dock rather than drawing from the Thames, with two glass-fronted saunas overlooking the water and powered entirely by renewable energy. The water is naturally filtered to EU Bathing Standards, and the site adds a clubhouse, wellness events and a wetsuit concierge. It comes from the National Open Water Coaching Association, the team behind Sea Lanes Brighton.

What we liked

Two dedicated saunas with dock views
Brand-new, purpose-built wellness facilities
Central, step-free access

Watch out for

Not open until summer 2026
Opening date subject to schedule

A purpose-built lido where the saunas are part of the plan, not a later add-on.

EAST SUSSEX · SALTDEAN

Pool 40m heated
Sauna Wed–Sun
Cold plunge Yes
Booking Walk-ins ok

Just east of Brighton, Saltdean pairs a restored 40-metre heated outdoor pool with a dedicated sauna and cold-water plunge run by The Wandering Wild Spa. Sessions run Wednesday to Sunday, with shorter 30-minute slots first thing and longer 55-minute sessions later in the day, and walk-ins are welcome. The on-site cold plunge means you get a proper hot-cold cycle without relying on the main pool being open.

What we liked

Sauna and a dedicated cold plunge on site
Walk-ins accepted alongside bookings
Heated pool extends the swimming season

Watch out for

Sauna closed Monday and Tuesday
Popular - early slots go quickly

GLOUCESTERSHIRE · CHELTENHAM

Saunas Three
Cold plunge Two (weekdays)
Ice room From Jan 2026
Season Winter run

Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham runs a Scandi-inspired Nordic Spa over the winter in partnership with Black Box Saunas. The setup is unusually generous: three saunas to choose from, two cold-plunge tanks on weekdays, the main pool open for cold dips at weekends, and an ice room added in January 2026. It is a seasonal experience rather than a year-round fixture, so check the current run before planning a trip.

What we liked

Three saunas plus cold plunges and an ice room
A genuine destination wellness day
Beautiful Cotswolds setting

Watch out for

Winter-season experience, not year-round
Cold plunges are weekday-only

HAMPSHIRE · PORTSMOUTH

Status Reopening May 2026
Sauna New
Investment £7.75m upgrade
Pool Revamped

Closed since 2022, the historic Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth is set to reopen in May 2026 after a four-year, £7.75 million renovation that adds a new sauna to the revamped pool. It is one to watch for south-coast swimmers who want a sauna closer to home than Saltdean. As with any reopening, confirm the opening date and sauna availability directly before you go.

What we liked

Brand-new sauna as part of a major refurbishment
Restores a much-loved heritage lido
Convenient for Portsmouth and Hampshire

Watch out for

Not open until May 2026
Facilities unproven until it reopens

CAMBRIDGE

Pool ~91m, very long
Sauna Yes
Setting Riverside park
Operator Better (GLL)

Jesus Green is one of the longest pools in the country at roughly 91 metres, set in a riverside park near the centre of Cambridge and run by Better (GLL). It now offers a sauna, which turns a long open-air swim into a proper contrast session. The sheer length makes it a draw for distance swimmers who want room to stretch out before warming up.

What we liked

Exceptionally long pool for real swimming
Sauna on site
Central Cambridge, riverside setting

Watch out for

Seasonal opening for the main pool
Busy in peak summer

HAMPSHIRE · PETERSFIELD

Pool Open-air
Sauna Yes
Run by Community
Area East Hampshire

Petersfield Lido is a community-run open-air pool in East Hampshire that lists a sauna among its facilities. It is a smaller, friendlier option than the big-name London lidos, and worth a look if you are in the area and want a quiet swim-and-sauna without the crowds. Check the seasonal opening dates, as community lidos often run a shorter season.

What we liked

Community feel, fewer crowds
Sauna on site
Good for families

Watch out for

Shorter seasonal opening
Fewer facilities than the major lidos

How do lido sauna sessions work?

Most lido saunas run on timed sessions you book in advance, though some - like Saltdean - also take walk-ins. A typical cycle is 10 to 15 minutes in the sauna, a short cold dip in the pool or a plunge tank, then a few minutes to cool down before repeating two or three times. Bring a swimming costume, a towel for the sauna bench, flip-flops, and water to rehydrate. For more on doing this safely, see our guide to sauna and cold plunge.

Are lido saunas open all year?

It varies by venue. Some saunas are winter-only because demand peaks when the open-air water is coldest - Parliament Hill closes its sauna for summer, and Cheltenham runs a seasonal Nordic Spa. Others, like Brockwell's indoor sauna and Saltdean, operate across more of the year. Because the City of London Corporation and other operators change session times by season, always confirm on the official page - for example the City of London's Parliament Hill Lido page - before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Q01Which UK lidos have a sauna?

In 2026 the best-known lido saunas are Brockwell and Parliament Hill in London, Saltdean near Brighton, Cheltenham's Sandford Parks Lido (winter Nordic Spa), Jesus Green in Cambridge, and Petersfield in Hampshire. Sea Lanes at Canary Wharf is due to open in summer 2026, and Hilsea Lido in Portsmouth reopens with a new sauna in May 2026.

Q02Is the sauna included in the swim price?

Usually not. Most lidos sell sauna sessions separately from pool entry, often as timed one-hour slots. A few combine them, but assume you will pay for the sauna on top of swimming and book it ahead, as popular sessions sell out.

Q03Do lido saunas have a cold plunge?

Some do. Saltdean has a dedicated cold-water plunge and Cheltenham runs cold-plunge tanks on weekdays. At others, the cold side of the cycle is the lido pool itself - which is often unheated and genuinely cold, especially in winter.

Q04Can children use a lido sauna?

Often not. Parliament Hill's sauna is restricted to adults 18 and over, and many venues set a minimum age for heat sessions even where children can swim. Check each operator's age policy before booking.

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