The Finnish Sauna Bath London 1948, also known in the British context as the Finnish Olympic Sauna or the Cobdown Sauna (after its current location), is a sauna facility located in Cobdown Park, Aylesford, Kent, England.[1]
| Finnish Olympic Sauna | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Sauna |
| Location | Cobdown Park, Aylesford ME20 6DD, England |
| Coordinates | 51°18′05″N 0°27′12″E / 51.3015°N 0.4534°E |
| Built | 1948 |
| Architect | Toivo Jäntti |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
| Official name | Finnish Olympic Sauna |
| Designated | 15 January 2024 |
| Reference no. | 1487251[1] |
It was built by the Finnish timber building supplier Puutalo for use by the athletes and other members of the Finnish team at the London 1948 Olympics,[2] in line with Finland's tradition of building 'Olympic saunas' for its athletes' use going back to the Paris 1924 games.[2]
The sauna was originally located in the athletes' village in Richmond Park, London, from where it was moved to the Reed Paper Mill in Aylesford a year later, and eventually from there to its current location nearby in 1957.[1]
Of single-storey, wooden, prefabricated construction, the building was designed by Finnish architect Toivo Jäntti.[2] It comprises the sauna room as well as a washroom, a dressing/massage room, and a kitchen.[3]
The facility was in regular use until 2020, when it was closed down for safety reasons pending refurbishment.[4]
It is thought to be England's oldest purpose-built sauna still in use, and the oldest surviving Finnish 'Olympic sauna' anywhere in the world.[5]
In January 2024, the building received Grade II listed status from Historic England.[1][5]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Finnish Olympic Sauna". Historic England. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b c "'Time capsule' sauna donated by Finnish team to 1948 London Olympics wins Grade II listing". The Standard. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Finnish sauna in Kent gifted to UK after 1948 Olympics granted listed status". ITV. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ "Wooden sauna from 1948 London Olympics gets Grade II listing". The Guardian. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Olympic Finnish sauna in Kent given Grade II listed status". BBC News. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
