The £16.50 private rooftop spa that’s right in the middle of London

Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and imagine what it would feel like to spend an afternoon in total and utter relaxation.

Now, open your eyes. Did you picture yourself in Brixton?

I don’t blame you. One of South London’s busiest, noisiest hubs, Brixton isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think of serenity.

And yet, just a five-minute walk from the Tube station, an oasis awaits.

Perched on the top floor of International House, Brixton’s rooftop saunas are every bit as inviting as they are peaceful.

An intimate and private experience perfect for couples or small groups, you need to add this hidden escape to your London to-do list.

And the best part? You can have it all for £16.50 (more on that later).

What’s the set-up at Brixton’s rooftop saunas?

One of the most inviting aspects is the level of privacy customers receive.

When you reach the top floor, step outside and turn the corner, you’re immediately hit with an incredible panoramic view of the city.

Far from the chaos below, you’re then invited to step inside one of four beautifully designed private cabins.

One is dedicated to an ‘Express’ experience, which is 30 minutes long and includes access to a private sauna room, cold plunge pools and waterfall buckets, plus an indoor shower.

Oh, and don’t worry about hauling toiletries along with you. Each cabin also comes with a host of natural body wash and shampoo.

Any guests who book a 60-minute or 90-minute experience will be offered one of the other three cabins, which (alongside those same amenities) also come with a private cool-down room with a mini-bar and free tea and coffee.

Anyone indulging in one of the longer sauna experiences will find a selection of essential oils and skin care botanicals in their cabin.

Back in July, when I first visited the saunas with my girlfriend, one of my favourite finishing touches was a small wooden trinket tray placed on top of one of the cabinets inside the cabin.

A small feature, but as a woman who’s constantly misplacing her jewellery, one I really appreciated.

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There was something special about being able to sit in a private sauna, away from the rest of the world, and look out at the London skyline.

At times, I couldn’t quite believe that just 11 floors below me was Brixton High Street.

How do you find Brixton’s rooftop saunas?

A word of warning. Before you set off to the sauna, your first obstacle will be finding its entrance.

Despite being incredibly familiar with the area, it took almost 20 minutes of peeping into work spaces and residential homes before I finally located the right door. So, let me walk you through it.

The sauna is located on the top floor of International House, a coworking space nestled directly behind the Brixton Recreation Centre.

Once you arrive, you’ll need to find the right-side entrance. The trick is to look for the red door to the left of the Marvin Gaye mural.

Press the doorbell to be let in and follow the path along the wall to the glass double doors, where you’ll then need to press the second ring doorbell.

If at any point you think “this is a really long-winded way to reach a sauna, am I actually breaking into MI5?” Don’t panic, you’re almost there.

Once you’re inside, take the lift to the 11th floor up to the top (there should be a sign inside the elevator pointing out the correct button).

And voila!

How much does Brixton’s saunas cost?

The best part, I think, is the price.

The amount you pay will depend on how many people you go with, and whether or not you go during peak times.

So, if there’s a group of four of you who want to visit the sauna just after Sunday brunch (say, at 11am) you’ll be charged £24 each for a 60 minute session.

If you happen to have a lot of freelancer friends who’re able to sneak in a session at midday on a Wednesday, you’ll each only have to cough up £16.50.

For couples who want a more intimate experience, expect to pay around £30 to £33 each.

And once your pores are well and truly open, why not pop next door to the Birds Nest, an adjacent rooftop restaurant that serves pizzas and has a pretty spectacular cocktail menu.

What more could you ask for?

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