New riverside sauna near Chester offers authentic Nordic wellness experience
A new community sauna overlooking the River Dee is bringing an authentic Nordic wellness experience to Chester, combining traditional heat therapy, cold plunges and scenic riversid
By Chester Standard
A new riverside sauna overlooking the River Dee is offering visitors a different approach to relaxation and wellbeing, with its founder hoping to bring authentic Nordic sauna culture to Chester.
Suda Sauna, based at Sandy Lane Park on the edge of the city, has recently opened and is already attracting visitors looking to experience traditional sauna rituals rather than the typical gym-based facilities found across the UK.
The business was founded by Evan McKinney, whose vision was inspired by a visit to an authentic Nordic sauna in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
He said the experience highlighted the difference between purpose-built community saunas and many found in leisure centres or gyms.
“In the UK, saunas are often treated as an afterthought,” he explained. “In countries like Finland they’re an important part of everyday life and are designed to create a much better experience.”
Working with guidance from the British Sauna Society, Evan designed Suda Sauna to focus on proper ventilation, comfortable heat and traditional sauna principles. The wood-fired sauna can accommodate up to 10 people and is paired with cold plunge facilities, allowing visitors to alternate between hot and cold therapy.
Sessions typically last around an hour, giving guests the opportunity to complete several heat and cold cycles, a practice many enthusiasts believe helps improve circulation, relaxation and overall wellbeing.
Its location beside the River Dee, with views across to the Welsh hills, is also a key part of the experience.
Evan believes the natural surroundings help visitors disconnect from everyday pressures and leave feeling refreshed both physically and mentally.
Alongside its regular community sauna sessions, Suda Sauna also offers private bookings, mobile sauna hire for events and bespoke home sauna design and installation.
The business is open from Thursday to Sunday, with community sessions starting from £12.
To enhance the atmosphere, Evan also hosts occasional sunset sauna sessions accompanied by carefully curated Balearic-inspired music, combining his passion for DJing with the wellness experience.
The new venture reflects the growing popularity of outdoor wellness experiences across the UK, where interest in traditional Scandinavian-style saunas and cold-water therapy has increased significantly in recent years.