A Hot Day, a Hotter Sauna - Our Trip to Sauna Box in Sheringham

When we first booked a gifted session at Sauna Box on the Sheringham seafront, a few people asked us: “But… isn’t it already hot outside?” They weren’t wrong - Norfolk was in the middle of a mini heatwave, and the usual cool breeze coming off the North Sea had all but disappeared.

So why, on such a scorcher of a day, did we voluntarily climb into a 90°C sauna?

Because there’s something incredibly relaxing about embracing the extremes, and by the end of our session, as we stood barefoot on the cool concrete admiring the beautiful sea views,  we understood exactly why Sauna Box exists and why people keep coming back.

Sauna Box: A Story With Heart (and Heat)

Sauna Box was brought to life in 2021 by Tom, who returned to Norfolk from London with an idea to bring a high-quality, authentic sauna experience to Norfolk. In 2021, the first mobile sauna trainer was built, welcoming people to the coast to enjoy.

Every Sauna Box is rooted in classic Finnish sauna tradition - repurposed from horseboxes and containers, they are beautifully crafted inside. I particularly liked the very cute smiling sauna stone, which proudly sat on top of the wood-fired stove, adding a touch of character.

The Ritual: Following the Sauna Box Method

Sauna Box promotes more than just sweating, but focuses on rhythm, ritual, and listening to your body. We followed their recommended Finnish-style method, encouraging alternating between heat and cold in stages. It looked something like this:

1.       Heat the room - Allow the stove to do its work, and: Sit, Breathe, Adjust.

2.       Sit on a towel - For hygiene and comfort, we brought our towels and perched ourselves on the upper bench, which presented a picture frame view of the sea.

3.       Add water to the rocks - For the satisfying hiss of steam to fill the sauna

4.       Sweat it out - We allowed ourselves to embrace the warmth, breathing slowly and deeply

5.       Cold plunge - What would normally have been a challenge, on this hot day, was an absolute pleasure: a direct plunge into the sea!

6.       Rest - A quiet rest on the deckchairs or at the edge of the sea.

7.       Replenish with water - Keeping hydrated is vital, so we brought bottles and sipped in between rounds.

8.       Repeat - We did 3 rounds in total, as recommended. By the final plunge, we felt truly relaxed, refreshed, and rested.

Health: What the Heat Does to You

The physical health benefits of saunas are well known, and we were able to experience these first-hand. Muscles felt softened and skin flushed, the contrast between the heat of the sauna and the cold of the sea acts as a workout for your body’s circulatory system. This, we have learned, is the heart of why sauna therapy is so beneficial.

Beyond the physical benefits, the mental clarity was surprising. Inside the sauna, you’re not checking your phone, planning dinner, or running through a to-do list. You’re just focusing on your breathing. Watching the steam curl upward. It is rare to be that present. Outside, post-plunge, I felt calmer and clearer.

Happiness: That Post-Sauna Glow

You hear people talking about the post-sauna glow, but it is one of those things you need to feel to truly understand. It isn’t just about the glow of your skin from improved circulation, but also in your eyes and mood. Even as the afternoon wore on following our sauna session, I felt restored, balanced, and reset. I took that glow into the rest of the day with me!

A Sauna for Every Season

What’s lovely about Sauna Box is that it works in any weather. On a cold winter morning, the heat would be a cocoon of comfort. On a grey, rainy day, the sauna would become a refuge. And yes - even on a blazing hot summer’s day, as we learned, it can be the perfect complement to the beauty of the Norfolk coast.

Sheringham, with its pebble beach and gentle surf, was the ideal backdrop - and we would highly recommend a visit during your Norfolk holiday!

Final Thoughts

Sauna Box is more than a quirky mobile sauna - it’s a thoughtful, beautifully designed experience rooted in tradition, community, and wellbeing. Sauna Box have created something special here. It’s rare to find something so simple, yet so transformative.

So if you’re in Norfolk - whether it’s the height of summer or the dead of winter - do yourself a favour. Book a session at Sauna Box. Bring your swimsuit, a towel, and an open mind. You’ll walk away lighter, brighter, and yes… glowing!