Change starts with us. Every day we are presented with thousands of decisions…what to eat (or not) and when. What to do or not do. Who to spend time with (or not!)...the list goes on.
We founded The Forest Sauna at Happy River to offer a choice that keeps on giving back. Our vision is that every person who visits here and spends an hour with us, leaves feeling better. Feeling inspired. Feeling re-connected. We want you to rest with us so you can go back out there and live your own best life, however that might look. Heat, Cold, time in nature and time together offer so many health benefits - physical, mental and soulful that it’s impossible to list! Safe to say it’s 65 minutes extremely well spent.
Our Mission & Vision
Our Mission & Vision
Change starts with us. Every day we are presented with thousands of decisions…what to eat (or not) and when. What to do or not do. Who to spend time with (or not!)...the list goes on.
We founded The Forest Sauna at Happy River to offer a choice that keeps on giving back. Our vision is that every person who visits here and spends an hour with us, leaves feeling better. Feeling inspired. Feeling re-connected. We want you to rest with us so you can go back out there and live your own best life, however that might look. Heat, Cold, time in nature and time together offer so many health benefits - physical, mental and soulful that it’s impossible to list! Safe to say it’s 65 minutes extremely well spent.
Our Team
Small and exceptionally friendly, our team has come about like so much of Happy River – organically and through passion, purpose and a good dose of intuition and joy!
Tamara, our event mastermind and head of all things digital brings a font of creativity, wisdom and energy to The Forest Sauna & plunge, planning unique and memorable happenings to elevate your sauna experience.
Our co-founders, Rachel and Robbie are avid sauna-goers themselves and knew that whatever happened, they needed to create a special place for the ever-growing sauna loving community! With a deep belief in sustainability, connection with nature and thriving health, as well as community, connection and empowerment, they have considered every detail of this immersive, holistic and restorative experience.
Not forgetting Adam and Ash, our on-the-ground talented sauna-running team, doing all the unseen work of chopping, stacking, cleaning, mending and generally caring lovingly for the Sauna & Plunge and event spaces. You might also meet them when you are being welcomed in!
Sustainability & Values
No detail is too small, since small details make the big picture.
Every part of Happy River has been considered with sustainability and core values of protecting, supporting and regenerating our natural environment whilst nurturing every person who visits. This is why we leave a large part of the Forest Sauna Meadow (the approach to the Sauna) wild and full of its most natural inhabitants.
We use absolutely no chemicals in the cleaning of either the Sauna or the Plunge, instead using natural cleaning products and filtration / cleaning. We have a compost toilet on site for all our customers to use - the most sustainable way to go! We source our wood with care and even our Happy River website is hosted on a server run entirely on renewable energy.
We’re not perfect, but we’re always striving to be better so we can leave every person, and place we connect with, better for the interaction.
About Us
We believe in thriving health through informed, empowered and intentional choices. We believe every person should thrive (rather than survive!). That’s why we founded Happy River Retreat, a unique health and wellbeing space and creative community in Dorset.
A hub of conscious living, health education and practice, connection, community and creativity, Happy River was founded to help people reconnect with their own unique vision of a thriving life. The Forest Sauna is the newest addition to Happy River Retreat, a well kept gem of a secret, nestled in a secluded spot amongst the trees. Hot and cold therapy, coupled with tranquility and time in nature is a powerful combination and a beautiful experience offering the chance to spend time with those we love doing something wonderful.
