We're Bringing a Beautiful Baltic Sauna Ritual to Abergavenny

We're Bringing a Beautiful Baltic Sauna Ritual to Abergavenny 

There are some things that I have discovered in my new life (since hanging up my more corporate boots), that I just have share with others. And Lithuanian sauna whisking is one of them. I'm excited to finally be offering these incredible sessions here at Wonderful Escapes, Wern-y-Cwm Farm. 

How it started: 

Dalia, our incredible Holistic Therapist, has long been advocating the benefits of sauna whisking but I was struggling to ‘get’ what she was telling me. The idea of being beaten with birch twigs sounded kooky, and a bit kinky, if not painful! 

Those of you who know me know I’ll never ask someone to do something I haven't tried myself, so after much research I tracked down Birute of the Lithuanian Laumiu Pirtis who was running a course at Wild Spa WoWo, deep in the East Sussex countryside. Fast forward 2 years and Dalia and I have finally completed our Sauna Master qualification. Whoop whoop. 

This experience genuinely shifted something in the way I think about sauna, contrast therapy and looking after yourself. This is a practice that has been part of Baltic life for hundreds of years. In Lithuania, the sauna (called the pirtis) is so much more than somewhere to get hot and sweaty. It's where people go to heal, to reconnect, to take care of each other. It was only when I experienced whisking therapy properly for the first time, (with the heat, the steam, the rhythm of the vanta sweeping across my body and the most beautiful earthy scent of birch filling the air), that I understood. The whole point of me creating Wonderful Escapes at my farm was because I believe nature is an incredible healer. There is something primeval and deeply reassuring about the smell and sensation of home-picked, handmade whisks. It brings nature into the sauna, in the most grounding way. It's so hard to explain – in fact I really can’t, so like me - you just have to try it. 

So, what does it actually involve? 

You sit (or lie for a 1-2-1) in a medium hot sauna while your Sauna Master works with a bundle of leafy branches, usually birch, oak or eucalyptus. The branches are swept and pressed across the body in gentle, rhythmic movements, drawing hot air across the skin, getting the blood moving and releasing the wild natural oils from the leaves. It's warming and deeply relaxing all at once. The scent alone is worth it. 

Why here? 

Wern-y-Cwm is already a place where people can properly breathe out. It's quiet, beautiful, and there's something about being surrounded by nature and creativity that makes everything feel more grounded. Whether you're coming alone for a bit of peace, with a partner for something memorable, or with a group for a new shared experience, we'll make sure it's just right for you. 

Who is it for? 

If you love a sauna, you're going to love this. If you've never tried one but are curious, this is a lovely way to start. We talk you through everything beforehand so there are no surprises, and we always tailor the session to you. 

Come and give it a try 

We're now taking bookings for 1-2-1 sessions as day or residential guests. These 90 minute sessions are from £120 for 1-2-1 or £160 for groups of up to 4, plus £25 for each additional person (max 12).