Liverpool prepares to host the UK’s inaugural floating sauna, promising a unique wellness experience.
- The city council has granted planning approval for a sauna and ice bath installation at Princes Dock.
- WYLD Sauna collaborates with Peel Waters to introduce this project to the Liverpool Waters development.
- The planned facility will feature a 30-person sauna, ice baths, and eco-friendly materials for durability.
- Operational plans include a detailed licensing application, with daily functions from early morning until late night.
In a pioneering move, Liverpool is set to introduce the UK’s first floating sauna at Princes Dock, where the city’s council has given the green light to a sauna and ice bath setup on a floating pontoon. This innovative project marks a collaborative effort between WYLD Sauna and Peel Waters, as part of the broader Liverpool Waters development plan slated for launch later this autumn.
The proposed floating sauna will accommodate 30 individuals at a time, equipped with a plant room and two ice baths. The facility’s design also includes outdoor showers and waterfall effect pail showers. To ensure privacy and enhance the aesthetic appeal, floating plants will serve as natural boundaries, offering a picturesque backdrop that complements the existing water-based recreational activities at Princes Dock, such as open water swimming.
A significant feature of the development is its flexibility; the new pontoon will be anchored to the dock wall but designed to be relocatable if necessary. The operational plan, submitted for licensing, outlines that WYLD Sauna intends to operate from 7am to 10pm daily. Additionally, it seeks permission to play recorded music indoors and sell alcohol from 11am to 10pm, contingent upon council approval.
Emphasising sustainability, WYLD Sauna has chosen materials that are robust enough to withstand marine conditions, aligning with both aesthetic and environmental goals. Their environmental strategy includes using floating plants, which they assert will enhance the area’s biodiversity. These plants will be strategically selected and installed during the project’s determination period, ensuring compatibility with the marina’s ecosystem.
Access to the sauna will be controlled via a drawbridge linking the existing and new pontoons, which will be retracted when not in use. Lifeguards will be present during busy times when activities such as open water swimming are expected, ensuring safety. At quieter times, only members will have access to use the dock area or cold plunge facilities. The proposal excludes the use of shower gels or soaps, as all water will naturally integrate into the dock without additional management.
This floating sauna project is poised to become a standout attraction in Liverpool, merging wellness and innovative design.
