Cart Lodge Sauna

A building that makes room for life

Designed specifically for listed properties, historic settings and the landscapes of Kent and Sussex, the Cart Lodge Sauna draws inspiration from the humble agricultural buildings that have shaped the countryside for centuries.

Crafted from ancient oak, reclaimed timbers and naturally patinated materials, it settles gently into its surroundings, appearing as though it has always belonged. The weathered character of the building softens with age, creating a retreat that feels discovered rather than imposed.

One half is a traditional sauna; Either electric or wood fired, the other an open cart lodge, providing shelter, storage and a place to pause between heat and cold. Together they create a simple, enduring garden structure rooted in local vernacular architecture.

Beyond human enjoyment, the open lodge offers opportunities for wildlife. House martins and swallows are encouraged to nest within the sheltered eaves, allowing the building to become part of the wider ecology of the garden.

More than a sauna, it is a quiet landscape intervention — a place for restoration, wildlife and connection to the rhythms of the seasons.

Why a Cart Lodge Sauna?

Traditional cart lodges have long been a familiar feature of the rural landscapes of Kent and Sussex. Modest, practical and beautifully proportioned, they were built to shelter working vehicles while remaining open to the landscape around them.

The Cart Lodge Sauna reinterprets this vernacular form for contemporary life. By combining a sauna cabin with a sheltered open lodge, the building feels entirely at home within the grounds of period houses, farmsteads and listed properties.

Constructed from ancient oak, reclaimed timbers, handmade clay tiles and naturally weathering materials, it develops character with every passing season. Rather than competing with its setting, it becomes part of it.

Whether positioned beside a wildflower meadow, orchard, kitchen garden or historic wall, the Cart Lodge Sauna offers a restorative retreat that feels rooted in place and connected to the wider landscape.

Seed Original

Make room for life.