Nordic Soul Sauna: A Forest Sauna and Cold Plunge near Shaftesbury
Nestled in ancient woodland just outside Shaftesbury, Nordic Soul is a Scandinavian-inspired sauna and cold plunge experience designed to help you prioritise your health and wellbeing through the power of regular sauna use. It is one of the loveliest additions to North Dorset in recent years, and a wonderful reason to slow down, get outside and reset.
Sauna and cold plunge, the Scandinavian way
The idea behind Nordic Soul is contrast therapy: the simple, centuries-old Nordic practice of moving between intense heat and cold. You warm through in the wood-fired sauna, then step out into a crisp cold plunge before repeating the cycle. It is invigorating, grounding and, once you have tried it, surprisingly addictive. The setting does half the work, surrounded by trees, birdsong and fresh Dorset air rather than the strip lights of a gym.
Sessions are kept relaxed and sociable. There are shared social sessions for up to six people, as well as couple and private group hire if you would rather have the place to yourselves. The cold plunge pools are kept crystal clear, and there is a café on site for a warm drink afterwards.
Our visit: 90 degrees to 4 degrees and back again
We visited on a Saturday morning, and it was absolute heaven. Going from 90 degrees in the sauna straight into an ice bath at 4 degrees, over and over for the best part of an hour, in the cool and shady forest setting, is something everyone should try at least once. You leave feeling clear-headed, calm and properly alive.
What makes it special is the care behind it. Chelsea, who runs Nordic Soul, is building something genuinely excellent here, a place to look after your wellbeing right in the heart of North Dorset. The welcome is warm, the setting is beautiful, and the whole experience has clearly been thought through with real heart.
Tip: bring a towel, a water bottle and warm layers for afterwards, and give yourself time to sit and enjoy the woodland. This is not somewhere to rush.
How to book
Sessions start from around £15 per person for a 60-minute social sauna and cold plunge, with couple and private group hire also available. Booking is quick and easy online at nordicsoulsauna.co.uk, where you will also find current prices, session times and directions. You can follow along on Instagram at @nordicsoulsauna too.
Make a weekend of it
Nordic Soul makes the perfect start, or end, to a weekend in North Dorset. Pair it with a walk up Gold Hill and the best of Shaftesbury, and stay nearby so you can fully unwind. A few of our favourite places to stay are below, or browse them all on our where to stay page.
