A new pop-up sauna is proving popular as temperatures sizzle in a picturesque setting that is complete with stunning sea and beach views. 

Two local women, with a vision to bring wellness and the community together, have combined to convert a former horsebox and transform it into a thriving business.

Embracing the Scandinavian sauna culture on the east coast, one of the country's newest pop-up saunas has opened in the past month just yards away from Pakefield beach in Lowestoft.

The new mobile sauna has been set up in a converted horsebox, which is now situated close to the seaside.

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesSalty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Perched on a cliff in Pakefield, Salty Sauna opened last month at Cliftonville Road to become the most easterly positioned eco wood fired sauna in the country.

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesSalty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

And having had a fabulous response since opening in October, friends Stella Raphael-Reeves and Hannah Lockwood - who established the new business - said: "We are so excited about offering the sauna experience to the community and have aptly named it Salty Sauna."

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna owners (L) Hannah Lockwood and (R) Stella Raphael-Reeves. Picture: Salty SaunaSalty Sauna owners (L) Hannah Lockwood and (R) Stella Raphael-Reeves. Picture: Salty Sauna (Image: Salty Sauna)

Ms Raphael-Reeves added: "The passion here in Pakefield has always been top of our agenda and is a natural extension to the yoga and First Light Festival activities that I have developed over the last four years.

"I have been teaching yoga, dance and fitness for 45 years, it’s my passion and since moving to Lowestoft five years ago was introduced to Genevieve Christie, who asked me to manage the Well-Being Tipi at the inaugural First Light Festival.

"It was a huge success, and I involved a number of local yoga teachers and dancers to get involved… and from then Beach Yoga grew.

Eastern Daily Press: Beach yoga in Lowestoft. Picture: Stella Raphael-ReevesBeach yoga in Lowestoft. Picture: Stella Raphael-Reeves (Image: Stella Raphael-Reeves)

"I sometimes have over 100 locals on Sunday mornings at 9am on the beach. (£2pp).

"The Salty Sauna will complement this wonderful growing group of Yogis.

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Some of the first ladies to enjoy the new sauna. Picture: Salty SaunaSalty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Some of the first ladies to enjoy the new sauna. Picture: Salty Sauna (Image: Salty Sauna)

"Coupled with sauna enthusiasts, the Salty Sauna will be available for a wide-ranging coastal audience - such as water-sports enthusiasts, our very own Sea for the Soul Swimmers, kayakers and paddle boarders for pre/post activity immersion."

With Salty Sauna offering the opportunity to step out of a hot sauna, into the elements to cool off or even embrace a North Sea dip, the business owners said: "What could be better?

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Inside the new sauna. Picture: Salty SaunaSalty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Inside the new sauna. Picture: Salty Sauna (Image: Salty Sauna)

"It is an all-year-round facility, and the current winter weather makes the Salty Sauna a perfect place to enjoy some wellbeing time.

"This is not a craze - rather a lifestyle change."

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft has proved popular. Picture: Salty SaunaSalty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft has proved popular. Picture: Salty Sauna (Image: Salty Sauna)

In the future they aim to offer events and an ‘Ultimate Sauna Experience’ - that includes body scrubs, face masks and whisking.

They said: “Sauna sessions - catering for six people at a time - can be booked by using our social media Salty Sauna sites on Instagram and Facebook - and we will shortly be launching a website.

"We have gift vouchers available and are looking forward to a few special events over the festive and New Year period."

How it all began

Ms Raphael-Reeves said: "I met Hannah when she attended one of my beach yoga sessions a few years ago and we connected straight away.

"We then met up at swimming and at paddleboarding sessions with the wonderful beach babes of Lowestoft.

"I often visit Brighton and love it there.

"They have a fabulous Sauna community set up there and I thought it would be a wonderful thing to bring to Suffolk."

Believing it would complement the beach yoga sessions, she added: "We purchased an old horsebox and Alex from Falling Leaf Conversions built it with support from Hannah.

Eastern Daily Press: Salty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft has proved popular. Picture: Salty SaunaSalty Sauna in Pakefield, Lowestoft has proved popular. Picture: Salty Sauna (Image: Salty Sauna)

"Our future plans are to expand and build a few more saunas in the near future and place them in other strategic locations in Suffolk.

"But for now, we are focusing on building up the Salty Sauna."