Question 1

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Find us on Google Maps or using What3Words.

Black Swan Sauna is located at Glove Factory Studios, Brook Lane, Holt, Bradford-on-Avon, BA14 6RL.

There is plenty of parking available. with two car parks. Once you arrive, head towards the café Wild Herb at the Field Kitchen and look for the green space with two lakes. Walk through the small gate and follow the path towards the lake further away, you’ll see our sauna there.

For sessions after 5pm when the café is closed, drive to the end of the car park and you'll see a couple of small signs 'Black Swan Sauna' and a wide galvanised gate. Park and walk through the galvanised gate following the small track until you reach the sauna!

The ground can get muddy depending on the time of year, so we recommend bringing suitable shoes for walking on grass.

Question 2

What do I need to bring?

Accepted Answer

Swimwear: Ideally, arrive with your swimwear on, but we do have a shared shepherd's hut changing room.
Two towels: One to sit on in the sauna and one to dry off with.
A full water bottle: Staying hydrated is important.
Flip-flops or Crocks: Useful for the outdoor shower or walking to and from the lake or plunge pools. Please note, all flip-flops must be removed before entering the sauna.
Suitable shoes: The grass can get muddy, so wear something appropriate for walking.

In the winter months, bring warm layers to change into after your session. Changing Robes (also known as dry robes) are a great option, take a look at our hybrid jacket/changing robes by Ryde, these are both waterproof and windproof for extra comfort.

Question 3

I’ve never used a sauna, what can I expect?

Accepted Answer

We recommend arriving 10 minutes early so we can guide you through your sauna experience.

To make the most of your time, arrive with your swimwear on if possible. We do have a shared shepherd’s hut available for changing. Once inside the sauna, the key is to relax and listen to your body. Everyone's tolerance is different, but a good starting point is 10-15 minutes in the sauna, followed by a cold shower, a dip in the lake, using one of our plunge pools or simply stepping outside to cool down. Repeat as desired.

You’re welcome to ladle water onto the stones using the provided equipment, and we’ll give you guidance on how often to do this. However, for safety reasons, customers are not allowed to operate the stove.

Consider wearing a sauna hat, a thick and smooth wool hat slows down how quickly the hot air affects your head, allowing your body to heat up more evenly. This means you can enjoy longer, safer, and more comfortable sauna sessions, making it easier to fully unwind. We have two communal hats available per session for you to try which are antibacterial thanks to wool’s natural properties and washed every evening, but we do highly recommend getting your own if you sauna regularly to avoid availability disappointment.  Our sauna hats are available through our store.

Sauna bathing is a personal experience, take your time, enjoy the heat, and do what feels best for you.

Question 4

When are you open?

Accepted Answer

As a new business, our initial opening hours are:

Fridays: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Saturdays & Sundays: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

If you do not see a time slot available during this these hours, then this means the session is fully booked.

We may also open for special events, so be sure to follow us on Instagram @blackswansauna or Facebook for updates!

Our goal is to extend our opening days and hours as we grow, so stay tuned for future changes.

Private Sessions:
We will consider opening for a minimum of 2x private sessions outside of these hours where possible, please drop us an email at contact@blackswansauna.co.uk and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request.

Question 5

Are children allowed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, children are welcome! Ages 12–16 can join communal sessions with a parent or guardian present at all times and we ask that supervising adults explain to their children that this is a shared session with other guests who value relaxation and a peaceful environment. A printed waiver which we provide must be signed, please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for this.

Please note that no under 18 years olds are permitted to dip in the lake due to Glove Factory Studios separate insurance.

We recommend children wear a sauna hat as this prevents all sauna users heads from overheating and enables them to tolerate sauna sessions longer. We have two hats available to borrow per communal session, but availability isn’t guaranteed. Arriving early helps us reserve one for you. If you visit regularly, sauna hats can also be purchased online and collected during opening hours.

Children between 5 and 12 are only permitted in private sessions with family or friends, and a signed waiver which we provide is also required.

Question 6

Do you have a changing room area?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a small shared shepherd’s hut that belongs to the Glove Dippers swimming group which Black Swan Sauna guests are allowed to use for changing. However, to make the most of your time and maximise your sauna experience, we recommend arriving with your swimwear on, 15 mins early so that you can enter the sauna on the hour. The changing area can get a little busy so if you feel more comfortable changing outside, bring a changing robe!

Please note that all our experiences include time for changing and dipping in the lake or the plunge pools. Our sauna host will give you a 10 mins notice at 45 mins past the hour and kindly ask that you exit the sauna at 55 mins past the hour to enable us to clean the sauna in between the next group.

If you'd like to use the changing room towards the end of your session, please be mindful of the next booking and do this within your allocated time slot.

We also don’t suggest bringing valuables, please leave them at home or in your car. For safety reasons, we recommend removing jewellery before entering the sauna, as some metals can get very hot.

Question 7

Do you have a shower?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we have an outdoor shower that offers both a cold and warm experience. Please note that this shower is for a quick rinse or cool down only, and we do not allow any products to be used.

Question 8

Can I dip in the lake?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can dip in the lake during your session time as long as it's daylight and that you're over 18 years old. Please know that during the summer months, this lake has an ecology condition known as duck itch or 'swimmers itch' which in some people can cause a skin rash. Glove Dippers swimming members tend to only swim in the lake during October to mid-April months as this isn’t an issue during cooler months.

As a refreshing alternative, you always have access to our cold shower facility and our two plunge pools for an invigorating cool-down. Just taking a break outside in the fresh air and letting your body temperature cool down before going back inside the sauna is also recommended. We have plenty of seating options all around the changing hut!

Question 9

Do you have plunge pools?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have two plunge pools available. If you’re joining a communal session, please be mindful that these are for a quick dip (a couple of minutes) to allow everyone a chance to use them.

As we are off-grid, we can’t guarantee a consistently cold temperature on hot days, as we don’t have a cooling system. However, our cold shower is always available, and we recommend cooling down gradually in the fresh air throughout your 55-minute sauna session. We have plenty of seating available around the changing hut.

For hygiene reasons, we kindly ask that you rinse off in the shower before using the plunge pools.

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