You Can Sauna*
I visited this lush woodfired sauna trailer that was situated between Totnes and Buckfastleigh as part of a trip to Devon for an evening with the fabulous poet Tom Hirons and Josh Schrei of The Emerald podcast. If you haven't encountered either of these brilliant people, and you're into earthy, mindblowing, mythopoetic stuff - do get involved.
* HEADS UP! You Can Sauna are no longer at this site! I did try to visit at Ashdown Forest, but it looks like a trickier journey on public transport. They have just opened up in Weston Super Mare too, and I may well take a train ride to the seaside soon...
Frome to Totnes to Buckfastleigh
I took the train from Frome to Totnes, where I met a friend for a cuppa, then we hopped on the 88 bus to Buckfastleigh. I dashed off to find the farm I was camping at, pitched my tent and returned down the really long, really old, holloway-vibe staircase that took me back to the centre of town - aparrently it's 196 steps and designed to foil satan?!
I headed to the absolutely gorgeous Moor Imagination Center which was the venue for the evening of electric conversation. The solo climb back up those nearly 200 stone steps in the dark was an experience in itself, as was my bivvy bag sleep. I woke with swifts flying low over me on solstice morning and the moon merging with sunrise.
Getting to the Sauna
After packing up and a solid breakfast at Singing Kettle in Totnes, I headed back to the bus stop and the 88 bus. It runs about every hour. Once I was on it was about 15 mins ride to the nearest stop, then about a 10minute walk to reach Meadowfields Campsite where You Can Sauna's based. It's always lovely to see a friendly roadside A-board to reassure you thay you're on the right path.
What's the sauna experience like?
A lovely black, round-cornered, square sauna on a trainer with big panoramic windows, it's benches sit at right angles opposite the stove (and at a decent height for good heat!) I arrive in a quiet afternoon session and had the place to myself. Wow.
Their sauna assistant was helpful with guidance on their 2 Urban Ice Tribe plunges and the sauna itself. They supply electrolytes here, and also sell some tasty drinks and you have the option to add-on a salt scrub to your experince. These were all delightful! I loved that there was a watering can too. Not everyone wants or needs a lot of cold.
What's the site like?
Despite being in the middle of nowhere the campsite had some large buildings - which look like great facilities but if you're looking for something wilder, this may not be the one for you. However if a good loo and places to change are what you need, this is a great option.
You Can Sauna website and their Totnes location is here:
Emilie Joy Rowell is an embodiment coach and sauna master who's passionate about slow adventures and the big picture wellness. She's writing this as a guide to reaching these wild wellbeing hotspots in the most sustainable and enjoyable ways.
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