About us

A sauna for the town.

Beside the lake at TCR Hub, County Durham.

Claire and Gareth run Elements, a traditional Finnish wood-fired sauna beside a spring-fed lake on the grounds of TCR Hub in Barnard Castle.

It’s a community sauna, not a spa. First-timers are made welcome, and there are no more than eight in a public session so everyone has their own space.

The lake is only a few steps from the sauna, so the contrast comes quick. We want to grow a community that enjoys the traditional Finnish sauna, and give people somewhere to unwind from daily stresses.

Have a look at the sauna sessions, or find us at TCR Hub.

Looking across the lake to the small wooden sauna and jetty on a grey autumn day — The lake

Guests waving through the sauna window, with bunting along the timber outside

Autumn view of the lake and the wooden jetty, framed by the sauna window — Lake through the window

Recharge

Heat first, then the lake if you fancy it, then a sit-down and a warm drink.
Tradition

Wood on the stove, water on the stones, and the lake a few steps away.
Together

No screens, just people chatting. That is the whole idea.

“You don’t see a grumpy open water swimmer, and you don’t see a grumpy sauna-goer. There’s a magic about that.”

Gareth

“The water here is so close to the sauna and you can get that contrast very quickly.”

Claire

Who we work with

Open-water safety

Dyane’s Wild Dip & Swim Therapy

Our partner for open-water safety. Dips are always optional.
Movement

Barnard Castle Tai Chi Qigong

Qigong (Tai Chi) paired with a sauna and a swim in the lake.
See the Qigong & Sauna session
Retreats

Seasonal retreats

Run with our partners. Ask us what’s coming up.