All guests must wear swimwear during their session. We also ask that you sit on a towel — this helps protect the wood, keeps the saunas clean, and shields your skin from the heat.

We recommend bringing a spare towel to dry off after your session.

We have two locations. The Lions' Den River for outdoor saunas and paddle boarding is just behind The Red Lion Bishopgate in Norwich. Head to the rear car park, where you’ll see our stretch tent, outdoor café, and welcoming Sauna Garden.

Our second location, The Lions' Den City with rooftop saunas, is located on White Lion Street next to Knoops. We will be opening our new second site winter 2025.

Head to our booking provider Bsport to create an account

All our bookings are managed online. You will need to first create and account before you can book your session.

We kindly ask that each participant books individually, as everyone is required to complete our 'Getting to Know You' form. This helps us ensure a safe, personalised, and high-quality experience for all.

If you're booking for a friend, please see other FAQ for this.

Yes, you're absolutely welcome to bring your dog on a paddle board, as long as they're comfortable around water and calm around wildlife. If your dog tends to get anxious near water or likes to chase ducks and other animals, it might not be the best environment for them, as there's plenty of both around. Their safety and comfort always come first

Follow this link

Or

The My Dashboard link on your first booking confirmation email.

Or

The sign into your account button on the booking page

OR

Sign in through our App

Synthetic Layers are the best. Some sports leggings, skins - loose clothing and layers. Try to avoid jeans and cotton which may be very uncomfortable if they get wet! Hot sunny days, swimming attire -

We can give you dry bags if you need to take some extra layers with you on board. We would also highly recommend bringing a change of clothes and a towel for after your paddle, just in case you fall in- these can be left with us on site.

Sauna hats, traditionally made of wool, felt, or straw, protect your head from overheating in a sauna by providing insulation and trapping cooler air around your head.This allows you to stay in the sauna longer and experience the full benefits without feeling uncomfortably hot.They also protect your hair and scalp from becoming too dry and brittle due to the intense heat.

Opening Hours

The Cabin/Den

• Monday to Saturday: 8:00am – 10:00pm

• Sunday: 8:00am – 9:00pm

The Sauna Garden

• Monday: 5:00pm – 9:45pm

• Tuesday to Thursday:  Morning: 7:00am – 11:45am  Evening: 3:45pm – 9:45pm

• Friday & Saturday: 7:00am – 9:45pm

• Sunday: 7:00am – 8:45pm

If you've purchased a sauna ticket, access to our cold plunges is included. You're welcome to alternate between the sauna and cold plunge throughout your session.

If it is warm enough, bare foot is best. If you would like to wear shoes we recommend wearing wet. shoes or old trainers, just make sure you have dry footwear to wear after your paddle! - SealSkinz are an amazing waterproof sock which are also great!

If you've forgotten your password, you can request a reset from the sign-in page. A reset link will be sent to your registered email address—be sure to check your spam or junk folder just in case.

Still having trouble? Feel free to email us at hello@thelionsdennorwich.com.

You're always welcome to drop in and relax in the Cabin and Den, but we highly recommend booking your sauna session in advance, as we do get very busy

We ask each guest to register individually, just like you would at a gym, or fitness class.

Since our services can impact health and wellbeing, it's important for us to ensure everyone is safe, supported, and gets the best possible experience.

Individual registration also allows us to tailor the session more personally and ensures a smooth check-in on arrival.

If you are booking on behalf of someone in your household, you can book the places under your name and the sauna host will then check the details of your guest at the session.

To book more than one space, you will need to repeat the booking process for each place.

For more help on changing or cancelling a booking , see: How do I amend my booking?

The Lions' Den River

We are unable to offer parking as the limited spaces available are reserved for Red Lion Bishopgate patrons. Please use nearby pay-and-display parking at St Helens Wharf or local on-street parking—just be sure to check for any parking restrictions.

The Lions' Den City

Our closest carparks are The Forum or The Castle.

We have five cold plunge tanks available:

• Two are chilled to 5°C

• Two are set at 10°C

• One is ambient, matching the surrounding air temperature

Bring a change of clothes and a towel in case you do get wet.

If it is nice and sunny please bring along water and suncream. If wearing a hat or sunglasses please note these will not float if you go in, but if you are not overly attached then bring them along as the water reflects UV rays and you may catch the sun quicker.

For chillier days and evenings please bring layers - small packaway windproof waterproof macs are great as are thin fleeces - we have drybags for you to take out additional layers if you are prone to feeling the cold.

You may also want to bring along some insect repellent, especially if your paddle is later in the day or in the evening.

We have limited waterproof phone cases available for use so if you have your own feel free to bring that along too!

Finally if you have any medical items such as inhalers or epi pens, please have these with you.

If you have been lucky enough to have received a gift voucher, we have a few different ways to redeem it. This will depend if the voucher was purchased from our current site or our old site.

If the gift voucher was purchased on our new site, you may have received an activation email, once activated, the balance will appear on your account. When you choose your pass/passes, you will have the option to pay using your gift voucher balance.

Alternatively, you may have received a printed or email copy with a 6 digit code. To use your gift voucher, firstly select your pass/passes, choose the option to pay with your gift voucher, then enter the 6 digit code. You can keep using the voucher until it is empty.

If the gift voucher was purchased from our old site, you will have a long 16 digit code. To redeem the voucher, please send an email to roar@thelionsdennorwich.com , and provide us with the last 4 digits as well as the expiry date. We will then add the balance directly to your account.

Yes, absolutely! We're very dog-friendly. Our resident pups, Torvi and Hudson, are often around to say hello. We also provide dog mats, treats, and water—plus plenty of love and cuddles from the team!

Our saunas provide the perfect setting for everything from social gatherings to relaxed get-togethers. You can either book and pay in full or request a payment link to share with your guests.

Each sauna can comfortably accommodate up to 8 people, with a total capacity of 32 people per hour—ideal for larger groups.

For mixed public sessions, we limit the Sauna Garden to 12 guests, averaging around 6 people per sauna for comfort. If you're booking privately, you can choose to have up to 8 guests per sauna. Want to bring 16 people? Book both saunas. For groups larger than 16, you can either book an additional hour or split your group into two 30-minute sessions.

Fill out the enquiry form, and one of the team will be in touch to help plan your ideal experience.

Yes, and you will be provided with one as standard when you book a lesson or hire a board from us. We have a selection for everybody!

Of course if you have your own, you are more than welcome to wear this on your session if you'd feel more comfortable in doing so.

Yes, you will receive a confirmation email. However, if you've booked for a guest and entered their email address, the booking will appear on their account, and they will receive the confirmation email instead.

You don't have to be an olympic swimmer, or be able to swim, but we do ask that you'd be comfortable if you did take a dip. You'll be fitted with a buoyancy aid before setting out, and you'll be attached to what is effectively a giant float by your safety leash. We will also go through a safety demonstration of how to get back on your board.

Age Restrictions

Children aged 13 to 16 may use the sauna during private sessions only (full sauna must be booked), with a responsible adult present at all times. Children under 13 are not permitted to use the sauna.

The majority of our boards are a max rider weight of 120kgs. If you weigh over this please contact us before booking, we have a few boards that can take over this weight, so we can make sure we have the right kit available for you.

Yes, you can! The easiest way to make changes is through our app.

Please note, we have a strict 24-hour amendment and cancellation policy, so be sure to make any changes before then.

To reschedule, simply cancel your existing booking in the app — the credits will be returned to your account, allowing you to rebook at your preferred time.

Our Sauna Garden is open in all weather — rain or shine — so you can enjoy the experience year-round.

The only time we may need to limit access is during thunder and lightning for safety reasons. In these conditions, we do not allow use of the cold plunge tanks, as they are made of metal.

Your safety is our priority, and we’ll always keep you informed if any weather-related changes affect your session.

It can happen, some sessions no one goes in, other sessions every one does! We try to keep people dry as best as we can.

we usually say 1 in 12 :)

We also run sessions where we purposely go in the water, these are great confidence builders!

If you've booked a sauna session with us, cold plunges are included. You're welcome to alternate between the sauna and cold plunge throughout your session.

Yes, we do! Please complete the form which you will find on our website. Once verified, we’ll activate the passes on your account.

Blue Light Discount Code Terms:

This passes are issued exclusively to the registered Blue Light Card holder. After one year you will need to re register by resubmitting a valid Blue Light Card.

The passes must not be used by anyone other than the registered holder. Any misuse, including sharing the code with others, will result in immediate revocation.

This discount is valid across Sauna and Paddle Boarding activities.

There is no direct access to the river from the sauna garden. You are welcome to leave the sauna garden and walk a few minutes along the bank and return. Any activities conducted when you leave the sauna garden will be at your own risk. We just politely ask that when you return to the sauna garden that you use the shower before joining back in the sauna and ice bath session.

Yes, and a paddle in the rain can be as gorgeous as a paddle in the sunshiine! We will only reschedule a session in the events of high winds, thunderstorms or met office weather warnings and will do our best to give as much notice as possible.

No, we do not provide wetsuits. The Lions' Den is on the River Wensum which provides scenic paddle routes rather than a swimming lake. We do provide bouyancy aids which are compulsory.

We have a cafe in The Lions' Den. We kindly ask that only food purchased from the cafe is consumed on site. If you are hiring a private sauna for a special occasion, do get in touch about celebratory cakes and lunch options; roar@thelionsdennorwich.com

Booking & Cancellation Policy

General Bookings: Customers may cancel or amend their bookings up to 48 hours before the scheduled session and will automatically receive a full refund to their

original payment method. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before the session are non-refundable.

Smoking is not allowed under the tent at our river site. Whilst we are a wellbeing site, if you do need to smoke, we kindly ask this is done away from the tent and other guests.

We suggest at least 4 hours of prior experience on the water

We currently have two locations in Norwich. The Lions' Den River at Red Lion Bishopgate, and The Lions' Den City on White Lion Street, which will be opening winter 2025.

Our second location will be opening winter 2025. Keep an eye on our socials for our official launch date and new events.