The SLSC Sauna at Tooting Bec Lido
The sauna will close for the season on 22 March 2026
A Little History
Our log sauna was donated to South London Swimming Club for the World Winter Swimming Championships at Tooting Bec Lido in February 2008. This was the first time the Championships were held outside Finland.
The sauna is one of the few “Honka” log saunas in the UK, built by Finnish cold-water swimmers and gifted with the support of Honkarakenne, the International Winter Swimming Association and the Embassy of Finland.
Where to find it
The sauna sits at the shallow end of the lido, on the railway side, just before the paddling pool.
When is it open?
The sauna will close for the season on 22 March 2026, with this date being the final date it will be available.
We aim to have the sauna up and running by 1st November each year.
It remains open throughout the winter swim season until mid March.
It is open every day from 7am – 1.30pm.
Who looks after it?
In the previous years, the sauna was cleaned by volunteers on a rota – though in reality this often meant a small number of dedicated members doing a huge amount of work (we salute you!).
To make things fair and ensure a proper deep clean, the club now pays Places Leisure to clean the sauna once a week. Currently cleaning takes place on Wednesdays after the Lido closes.
Why people use it
To experience the Finnish-inspired hot – cold contrast that’s central to winter swimming culture.
To warm up after a cold dip.
When you should not use it
If you experience light-headedness, slowed thinking, or slurred speech while using the sauna.
If you have medical conditions that make sauna use unsafe (heart issues, blood pressure problems, diabetes, epilepsy, pregnancy) Consult your GP for advice.
If you are tempted to use the sauna as a way to extend your cold-water exposure time – this is dangerous and not endorsed by the club.
If you are under 16 years old. Children should NOT use the sauna.
Please look out for one another, and alert the lifeguards if you see unsafe sauna or cold-water behaviour.
More info on how long to spend in cold water can be found here.
Sauna Etiquette and Tips
Keep the door closed: open it only briefly when entering or leaving. Announce when you’re leaving: ask if others are going too, so the door isn’t opened repeatedly.
Don’t wear wetsuits inside the sauna, and avoid wearing jewellery and watches as these get very hot.
Shower before using the sauna. Always wear a swimming costume and use a towel to sit on.
Alternatives Nearby
If cold water isn’t for you, there are other local saunas in South London, including:
Tooting Leisure Centre Sauna https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/tooting-leisure-centre/
Latchmere Leisure Centre Sauna https://www.placesleisure.org/centres/latchmere-leisure-centre/centre-activities/swimming-lessons/
Clapham Common Cabin Sauna https://thecabinsauna.co.uk/
Brockwell Lido Sauna https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/brockwell-lido/your-centre/lido/
Brixton Roof Top Sauna https://rooftopsaunas.com/locations/brixton/
Sauna FAQs
This is simply due to infrastructure – specifically, the shallow end doesn’t have enough electrical power to run everything required once preparations begin for summer opening. The paddling pool and café both require deep cleaning before the lido reopens to the public meaning the electricity supply is switched over from the sauna to those facilities.
In the past, neither SLSC members nor the public could access the site for a month before summer opening to allow Places Leisure time to clean and maintain the site. Now, members are kindly allowed continued use of the lido in April — but without enough electricity, the sauna cannot run while the café and paddling pool are prepared.
SLSC continues to lobby for more power at the shallow end as a priority for any Wandsworth Council or Places Leisure infrastructure project. (For more information on how Wandsworth Council Places Leisure and SLSC work together click here.)
That’s the dream! When the sauna was gifted to us SLSC was a much smaller club, with the rapid growth in winter swimming and with it our membership, the sauna can feel a little small. To be fair to all, we ask members to limit their time inside.
The club is exploring options to expand our sauna provision, though many options depend on wider site projects outside SLSC’s direct control, including more electrical power at the shallow end.
For planned repairs, members will be informed via the weekly email newsletter.
For sudden closures, lifeguards will place a sign on the sauna and a message will be shared in the announcements on the WhatsApp group and Social media.
Updates on any ongoing issue will follow in the next newsletter.
