Ellen Couzens enjoys some countryside wellbeing that could also make a perfect Christmas gift…
My daughter and I couldn’t have chosen a better morning for our visit to the Black Swan Sauna at the Glove Factory Studios in Holt, Wiltshire. Under a clear autumn sky, the walk through the peaceful countryside set the tone for what turned out to be a wonderfully restorative experience. Nestled in a quiet field beside a lake, the sauna offers a rare chance to switch off, breathe deeply and enjoy a wellbeing boost surrounded by nature.
At first, I had no idea what to expect. I was surprised by the apparent sparseness of the set-up – a small, simple hut for changing and a modern, shepherd’s-hut-style sauna standing alone in the middle of a field. My only other experiences of sauna-ing had been in hotel spas or sports centres, so this nature-immersive approach was new to me.
Fortunately, we received an extremely warm welcome from Charlotte, and after a helpful tour and some useful advice on how to make the most of our session, I was quickly sold on the calm, back-to-nature vibe.
The changing rooms were a little nippy and, if you’re body conscious, the communal arrangement may take some getting used to. But as advised on the website, we arrived with our spa-wear under our clothes, de-robed quickly and dashed the few steps to the sauna.
The sauna itself is beautiful. Compact and bijou, with blackened larch cladding outside and a warm, traditional Scandi feel within, it welcomed us in with the scent of wood and a gentle hint of essential oil. We had booked a communal session, meaning we shared the sauna with two other ladies. It was snug but never uncomfortable, and the wood-fired stove was checked regularly by Charlotte to ensure the heat stayed just right.
My daughter settled down with a book while I was more than happy gazing through the panoramic window at the lake. The 55-minute session encourages guests to pop in and out to cool off, whether via the plunge pools, a dip in the lake or the indoor–outdoor shower.
My daughter and I hate the cold, so we avoided all three and simply cooled down on the porch with a drink of water and the view for company. The other guests, however, assured us that their dips in the lake were invigorating and wonderful.
Despite the brief rushes of cold air as we moved in and out, I was completely sold on the experience. My muscles felt deeply relaxed and I was left with a lovely sense of wellbeing. I’m now a full convert to the value of a sauna hat – the felted wool bonnets that help regulate your head temperature. Three were available to use free of charge, and they made a noticeable difference to our comfort.
My daughter and I both enjoyed the experience enormously, and she even noticed that the nagging headache she’d arrived with had disappeared. We rounded off our morning with a delicious brunch at the Wild Herb Café at The Field Kitchen next door – and I highly recommend the sweetcorn fritters.
The perfect Christmas gift
Alongside communal and private sessions, Black Swan Sauna also offers gift tokens – and after experiencing the calm, the countryside views and the post-sauna sense of wellbeing, I can’t think of a better Christmas present. For anyone who needs a moment of peace, a reset or simply something a little different, a session here would be a thoughtful and genuinely restorative gift.
Communal and private sessions
Black Swan Sauna offers both communal and private hire options. Communal sessions are mixed-gender and sociable, while private sessions give families or friends exclusive use of the sauna for a quieter, more personal experience.
Communal sessions start from £15 for 55 mins for up to 6 people, £90 for private sessions of up to 7 people. Thursdays 90mins session £20. Weekend special 90mins £22.50. Gift tokens are available for all session types.
