Handcrafted a Sauna for Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool: A Story of Stone and Steam
Discover the story behind the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool, a treasured Yorkshire landmark since 1969, and how Yorkshire Hut Co. crafted a custom Pipi outdoor sauna to complement its timeless charm.
Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool sauna interior. A Yorkshire Hut Co. custom Pipi outdoor sauna, featuring two-tier cedar benches, panoramic viewing windows and electric sauna heater, beside the heated community swimming pool, nestling in the North York Moors National Park.
Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool: A Pool Born of Vision
Situated in the scenic North York Moors National Park, the Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool is a 25 metre heated outdoor pool built by the Feversham Memorial Trust on land gifted by the Fourth Earl of Feversham. Opened by the Duke of Norfolk, this historic pool offers locals and visitors a unique swimming experience, enhanced now by the warmth of a handcrafted sauna from Yorkshire Hut Co., as featured in the York Press
The Fiery Birth of Yorkshire’s Heated Open Air Pool
In the late 1960s, workers used dynamite to carve a basin out of the sandstone hillside at Baxton’s Sprunt, creating what remains Yorkshire’s only public heated open air swimming pool. Designed by architect Sir Martyn Beckett and built by Swimming Pools Construction Co Ltd., the pool holds 78,500 gallons of fresh moorland water. Since then, it has been lovingly maintained by the local community charity, hosting events like moonlight swims under Yorkshire stars.
Hand Crafted in North Yorkshire: The Custom Pipi Sauna
From our workshop in York, the custom Pipi sauna was built using sustainably sourced timber and natural sheep’s wool insulation. Designed to be compact yet spacious, the sauna features two-tiered cedar benches for varying heat levels, a moon window, a slim viewing window and a large viewing window framing the skies, the moors and the pool. Delivered with care, it was carefully lifted over the poolside fence to nestle perfectly by the waters. Its craftsmanship reflects the local landscape and offers swimmers a warm, restful retreat.
Sauna Features Designed for Yorkshire’s Climate
The sauna is built with a premium heater for steady steam despite the chill winds, sculpted cedar backrests for comfort, and weather resistant sealing to handle British rains. This sauna perfectly complements the cycle of cooling swims and warming steam sessions, a natural contrast therapy well suited to outdoor wellness.
A Sauna that Connects Community and Heritage
A Yorkshire Hut Co. custom outdoor sauna making night swimming even more enjoyable at Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool, enabling swimmers to spend longer at the pool.
Opened by golf star Sarah Stirk with great local enthusiasm, the sauna has become part of the pool’s ongoing story of resilience. It supports activities such as aquathlons, yoga by the poolside, and multi-generational gatherings. More than an addition, it feels like a natural extension of the pool’s original spirit.
Enjoyable connections made in the Yorkshire Hut Co. Pipi outdoor sauna at Helmsley Open Air Swimming Pool - photographed by Fiona Finchett
Reflections on Helmsley’s Outdoor Sanctuary
Helmsley's pool, blasted from stone, is a testament to care and patience shaping our outdoor spaces. Our Pipi sauna continues this tradition, offering comfort and calm, a place to pause from everyday life and reconnect with nature.
From moorland pools to coastal gardens, Yorkshire Hut Co. handcraft custom outdoor saunas across the UK. Each sauna is shaped by its setting, designed and hand crafted with deep care, to last with an inspiration in nature.
If you value Yorkshire’s outdoor gems and wellness spaces, please feel free to share this story with others who cherish nature and community.
What hidden waters call to you? Explore how such spaces might belong in your own garden or landscape.