UK's first public floating sauna, WYLD Sauna, opening in November at Liverpool's Princes Dock

The final countdown is now on for the launch of the UK's first public floating sauna, set to make a splash on 23 November at Liverpool's Princes Dock.

Called WYLD Sauna, the Nordic-inspired contrast bathing experience will offer residents, visitors and commuters a serene escape in the heart of the northern UK city.

The project was founded by outdoor swimming and sauna enthusiasts inspired by the growing trend of floating saunas in Scandinavia. Their goal is to introduce the traditional Nordic sauna experience to docks, lakes and harbours across the UK.

The first WYLD Sauna will be installed at Liverpool Waters this Friday (25 October) by a large 110-ton mobile crane, joining the area's range of waterfront attractions, including leisure activities, bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels.

“I couldn’t be more excited to share that our first floating sauna is nearly ready for its journey to Liverpool,” said Jon Miller, co-founder of WYLD Sauna. “It’s been an incredible journey – that's been very difficult at times – but now we’re just days away from transporting the sauna to its new home on the waterfront.”

Moored in Princes Dock, the facility will feature a floating pontoon housing a 30-person Finnish sauna, two ice baths, two cold waterfall showers and four heated outdoor showers equipped with salt rubs.

In addition, guests will be able to access outdoor seating, a floating café offering refreshments and snacks – and changing rooms with hair dryers, lockers, mirrors and swimsuit dryers, along with direct access to the water for a refreshing post-sauna dip.

To bring the sauna to life, WYLD Sauna enlisted the expertise of UK-based sauna specialists, Finnmark Sauna. Jake Newport, co-founder of the family-run business, told Spa Business that Finnmark was responsible for designing, consulting on and fabricating the sauna's interior elements while the WYLD Sauna team handled the unit's delicate fit-out due to its specific engineering challenges.

Miller added: "We’re eager to partner with local businesses, including gyms, hotels, tourist boards and wellness centres, to enhance the experience. We’re planning exciting launch events, including demonstrations, wellbeing workshops, and talks to highlight the benefits of hot and cold contrast therapy, in collaboration with the British Sauna Society.”

WYLD Sauna will be open seven days a week, from early morning to late evening, offering pay-as-you-go sessions starting at £5 (US$7, €6) per hour.

Peel Waters, a specialist in waterside regeneration, is partnering with WYLD Sauna to bring the swim-sauna experience to life.

About Liverpool Waters

Liverpool Waters has been designed to transform the city’s northern docks, bringing the 60-hectare site to life again and creating a bustling, lively, attractive place to live and work across five different neighbourhoods.

About Peel WatersPeel Waters is a UK-wide portfolio of vibrant and innovative waterfront developments. Each site is developed to regenerate its unique waterside setting, ensuring that the area is once again a thriving, community-led, world-class destination.

The Peel Waters portfolio started with the design, creation, and delivery of MediaCity at Salford Quays.

The portfolio now spans over 900 acres, across six UK-wide sites, delivering large-scale regeneration projects, creating new jobs, economic growth, new homes and a new public realm across the country.

Peel Waters is part of the family-run Peel Group which has operated across the UK for more than 50 years.

The Peel Waters portfolio includes:

• Chatham Waters • Glasgow Waters

• Liverpool Waters • Manchester Waters

• Trafford Waters • Wirral Waters