Finnish Sauna in South London
The local sauna you’ve been searching for and not found until now
Looking for a proper Finnish sauna in South London – not a packed spa room or a glowing infrared box in a gym corner?
At Contrast Anerley, we offer a traditional Finnish sauna in Anerley with a calm, low-capacity setup, designed to pair perfectly with our cold plunge for true heat therapy and contrast sessions.
Traditional Finnish Sauna Experience
Our sauna is a traditional electric Finnish sauna with stones, steam and proper heat – the kind you’d recognise in Scandinavia.
Temperature: typically 80–90°C
Heating: electric heater with stones
Steam: you can pour water on the stones for that classic steam sauna (löyly) effect
Capacity: small, quiet, no big crowds, ideal for recovery and headspace
The space itself is nature-inspired – calm colours, soft lighting, and a peaceful atmosphere that makes it easy to switch off before you step back into real life.
If you’re searching for a Finnish sauna in Anerley or a steam sauna in South London where you’re not fighting for bench space, this is exactly what we built Contrast Anerley for.
Traditional Finnish Sauna vs Infrared Sauna
People often ask, “What’s the difference between your sauna and an infrared sauna?”
Here’s the short version:
Traditional Finnish Sauna (what we have):
Heats the air around you
Higher temperatures (80–90°C)
You can create steam by throwing water on the stones
Strong sensation of heat, pairs brilliantly with a cold plunge
Most of the long-term health research on “sauna benefits” is based on this type
Infrared Sauna:
Uses panels to heat your body directly, not the air
Lower air temperature (around 40–60°C)
No steam, no water on stones
Feels more like a steady radiant warmth
Both can be useful forms of heat therapy, but at Contrast Anerley we chose a traditional sauna because:
It gives a much clearer contrast when you step into the cold plunge. It keeps the classic steam sauna ritual – stones, steam, cool-down, repeat. It lines up with the research-backed model used in large Finnish sauna studies, and if you want the real “hot–cold cycle” and not just a warm box with lights, traditional is the way to go.
Health Benefits of Heat Therapy
Regular heat therapy via sauna has been linked to:
Improved circulation and vascular function
Reduced perceived muscle soreness after intense training
Support for cardiovascular health in long-term observational studies
Better relaxation, stress relief and sleep quality for many people
We keep our claims honest: a sauna session isn’t magic, but used sensibly it’s a powerful tool alongside strength training, walking, good food and sleep.
If you want to dive deeper into the science and how sauna works with our cold plunge, head to our Benefits of Contrast Therapy page.
How to Book a Finnish Sauna Session
You can use our Finnish sauna on its own or combine it with the cold plunge for full contrast therapy, with the option of adding on Red Light Therapy.
If you want to experience sauna and cold plunge together see our Cold Plunge page for how the combo works and what to expect.
Ready to book your traditional sauna in Anerley?
Go straight to our Booking page and choose your session length and add-ons.
We run small, timed slots so you’re never crammed in with a dozen strangers. Once you’re booked, you just show up, step inside, and we’ve handled the rest – towels, filtered water, and a clean, quiet space.
How to find us in South London
Address: Please read instructions
Unit 106, 183a Anerley Road, London, SE20 8EF
Stay on the main road (sometimes the postcode misleads people) and opposite Betts Park you will see a slip road (there’s a big sign that says Anerley Works) that leads to the building. When you arrive by the main entrance please dial 107 or 106 and press ENTER. There is free parking on site. Please do call speaker, if we don’t hear you coming we might not see that you are waiting in front of the door. We are coaching at 107 and this is where you can find us if you need us.
Email: hello@contrastlondon.co.uk
Opening hours:
Monday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Tuesday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Thursday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Friday 9.30am - 12.30pm and 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Saturday 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday 9.00am - 3.00pm
Contrast Anerley is a around a 10 minute drive from Crystal Palace, Sydenham, 15 mins from Beckenham, and within 30 mins from Croydon. For further information and directions see our Contact page.