CANDLESTON WOODS
The Outdoor Sauna
A wood-fired sauna and hot tub in the heart of Candleston Woods, available for communal and private sessions year-round.
About
Heat, cold water, and 100 acres of woodland
The Outdoor Sauna operates within Candleston Woods on the Merthyr Mawr Estate — a 100-acre ancient woodland adjoining the Merthyr Mawr National Nature Reserve. It is run as an independent business by a third-party operator, with sessions available to book directly through their website.
The setup is simple: a Lithuanian-made, wood-fired sauna with a panoramic window facing the trees; an off-grid wood-fired hot tub a few steps away; and cold water facilities alongside for contrast therapy. Sessions run year-round. The site remains open in most weather conditions — rain and wind included.
There is ample free parking on site. All bookings and payments are made online in advance.
The facilities
Wood-fired sauna
Made in Lithuania, the sauna is heated by a wood-fired stove and has a panoramic window looking out into the woodland. Sessions in the heat are typically 3–15 minutes at a time, depending on your experience and what your body tells you.
Outdoor hot tub
Off-grid and wood-fired, the hot tub sits a few steps from the sauna among the trees. Sit back, look up through the canopy, and listen. Deer occasionally pass through.
Cold water therapy
Every session includes access to cold water facilities: a cold shower, a drench bucket, and a cold plunge tub. You choose how far you go. Hot and cold contrast therapy is widely recognised for its effects on circulation and recovery.
Off the beaten track in the peaceful surroundings of Candleston Woods.
The woodland is a stone’s throw from the sand dunes and village of Merthyr Mawr. After a session, the nature reserve and coast are within easy walking distance.
What’s available to book
Private sessions
Exclusive use for your group — available in 55-minute or 90-minute slots.
Communal sessions
Book an individual spot and share the experience with other bathers. A quieter, more contemplative format.
Special sessions
Recurring themed sessions including Sunday Reset (yoga and wellness) and other seasonal offerings.
What to bring
Arrive wearing your swimwear under your clothes — changing time counts as part of your session. Swimwear should have no metal fastenings, which can heat up in the sauna. Remove metal jewellery for the same reason.
- Swimwear (wear it under your clothes on arrival)
- Two towels — one for sitting on in the sauna, one for drying off
- Drinking water in a non-metal bottle
- Slip-on footwear such as flip flops
- Warm clothing for afterwards
Changing facilities and toilets are available on site. No one under 16 is permitted in the spa area. Those aged 16–18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Bookings and cancellations
All bookings and payments are made directly through The Outdoor Sauna website. There is no on-site payment option.
For full details on cancellation and rescheduling policies, visit theoutdoorsauna.co.uk.
Ready to book?
All bookings are made directly through The Outdoor Sauna website. Gift cards and current pricing are available there.