Ruskin Park’s new sauna centre, created from a former depot area by Community Sauna Baths, will launch with an opening party on 16 April. Regular sessions will start on Thursday 17 April.
The site has three saunas, including one fully accessible sauna, alongside multiple plunge pools, treatment space, accessible toilets and hot showers.
During their first month, opening times will be Thursday to Monday, from 8am to 7.30 pm, with the last session starting at 6pm.
Community Sauna Baths, a community interest company (CIC) launched in 2021, already operates locations in Hackney Wick, Stratford, Bermondsey, and Peckham that have served more than 250,000 visitors.
The organisation says it maintains its commitment to accessibility with standard pricing from £9.50 off-peak to £16.50 peak, alongside concessionary rates.
It works with NHS trusts to provide “social prescribing” schemes offering free sauna sessions to those who would otherwise not be able to afford them, and free sessions for NHS workers.
The saunas are close to King’s College hospital.
Community Sauna Baths said the Ruskin Park Camberwell Community Sauna, developed in partnership with Lambeth council, has transformed a long-vacant space into a community wellness hub, accessed from the South (Denmark Hill) side of the park.
It will continue the company’s tradition of offering traditional sauna experiences alongside innovative events and specialised community sessions.
Its social prescribing programme enables GPs and charities to refer patients for free sauna sessions to support physical and mental health.
The company said it provides a range of concessionary rates as part of its mission to offer affordable saunas accessible to Londoners, delivering health and social benefits for all.
“We’re thrilled to be creating a new sauna site that promotes health and wellbeing right in the heart of nature,” said Joe Beek, head builder of the Camberwell Community Sauna.
“It’s been a pleasure working alongside the parks team and the Friends of Ruskin Park to bring this vision to life. We hope this beautiful sauna site will provide significant benefits to the community and beyond.”
Polly Joy Wilson, Community Sauna Baths’ social prescribing and outreach manager, said: “We believe that the health benefits of sauna bathing should be accessible to everyone.
“To make this vision a reality, we have developed a fully self-funded social prescribing scheme. This initiative allows NHS-funded organisations and selected charities to access our saunas free of charge.
“We prioritise partnering with local charities to support individuals and groups who might otherwise be unable to use our saunas or are facing significant life challenges with free, regularly occurring saunas.
“Through this work, we’ve seen first-hand how sauna bathing can reduce stress, improve physical health, and foster meaningful connections.
“Our commitment is to break down barriers so that more people can experience the profound benefits of sauna bathing.
“By operating as a not-for-profit organisation, we’re demonstrating that it’s possible to create real and lasting change in community wellbeing while maintaining a sustainable model.”
Instagram: @communitysaunabaths
