Introduction

The sauna is built in an old railway carriage that was lying dilapidated in the garden. 6 Months of careful work saw the old timbers removed, the steelwork repaired and painted then clad with reclaimed timber and oiled. The inner sauna is lined with Western Red Cedar, the traditional wood for saunas and then a Finnish Harvia wood fired stove installed.
Top Tips
Don’t have a large meal before your sauna, save that for afterwards. A snack
is fine.
Drink lots, preferably water, before, during and after.
There is a hot and cold shower near the sauna.
There is tap for drinking water and some beakers for drinks, also a bottle opener.
No glasses in the sauna area please (breakages and bare feet don’t mix well).
There are some deckchairs and a bench.
The first room is for changing and the second is the sauna.
Please keep the sauna door shut at all times to keep the heat in.
What to wear? You can go naked, use a wrap (sarong) or a bathing costume.
Please sit on a towel or mat if you are naked.
Remove any jewellery before you go in as it will get very hot.

Are you ready?

Take a shower and wash then dry off. This is to remove any creams, oils and dead skin!
Drink water.
Into the sauna for up to 20 minutes or till the heat is too much. Be aware you may feel dizzy when you stand up.
Drink water.
Cool off for a few minutes, till your heart rate is normal then cold shower.
Drink water.
Stay out of the sauna till you have cooled down.
Drink water.
Repeat 3 or 4 times.
Drink water.
When you have cooled off for the last time, have a shower to wash off the last of the sweat.
Drink water.

Once you’re in

The high bench on the right is higher so will be hotter.
The heater is unguarded and VERY HOT, please be careful. If you do touch it and burn yourself, run cold water over the burn for 5 minutes at least.
Once up to temperature, the heater will not need any more wood, as it retains heat very well. If you were to add any wood, it would take a long time to have any effect.
Feel free to throw ladles of water on the stones, don’t pour water on as the steam may burn your hand. Be aware that the steam will rise, then fall down the opposite wall, so anyone sitting furthest from the heater will get the heat of the steam.
Check with other users that they are happy to go hot and steamy.
Try to keep the door shut for a few minutes after throwing water on to keep the steam in.

When you’re done

Close the 2 vents (low right, by the heater and high left from the changing room) and shut both the doors.
Turn off the lights.
Please bring any rubbish with you back to the house.
Put your towels and wraps by the back door for washing.