Liverpool is set to introduce the UK’s first floating sauna, enhancing its waterfront offerings.
- The city council has approved a sauna and ice baths on a floating pontoon at Princes Dock.
- Collaboration between WYLD Sauna and Peel Waters aims to open the venue by autumn.
- The facility will include a 30-person sauna, ice baths, pail showers, and changing rooms.
- Plans are in place for recorded music and the sale of alcohol, with operations from 7am to 10pm.
Liverpool is on the brink of hosting the UK’s pioneering floating sauna, following recent approvals from the city council’s planning department. The installation, featuring a sauna and ice baths, is designed to be situated on a floating pontoon adjacent to Princes Dock’s existing jetty. This innovation is part of a collaborative effort between WYLD Sauna and Peel Waters, with an anticipated launch set for the upcoming autumn season.
The ambitious project will not only bring a novel experience to Liverpool but also complement the current water-based activities at Princes Dock, such as open water swimming. With plans for a 30-person capacity sauna and a plant room, alongside ice baths complete with floor boxes, the venue promises to offer a comprehensive and rejuvenating experience.
In addition to the sauna and ice baths, the facility is set to include outdoor showers, pail showers with a waterfall effect, and two changing rooms. Enhanced by floating plants that act as a boundary, the design aims to seamlessly integrate into the dock’s marine environment. WYLD Sauna emphasises the importance of material selection, ensuring durability within the marine setting and adding a biodiverse touch with coconut mats and lightweight foam glass gravel.
WYLD Sauna is planning operational hours from 7am to 10pm, with the inclusion of recorded music indoors, subject to a pending licensing application with the city council. Furthermore, the company seeks permission to sell alcohol between 11am and 10pm, seven days a week. Notably, the application specifies that no cosmetics, chemicals, or detergents will be sold on site.
The proposed pontoon will be moored to the existing dock wall, providing the flexibility to relocate if required. Access to the sauna will be facilitated by a drawbridge-style connection, which will be raised when not in use. During peak use times, lifeguards will be on duty, while members will have exclusive access during quieter periods.
This innovative project represents a significant addition to Liverpool’s waterfront, aligning with its vision to enhance local amenities and leisure activities.
