We're creating a community-first wellness space in Bristol built around contrast therapy: sauna heat, ice-cold plunges, and the calm that comes after. Expect great music, friendly faces, and sessions that feel energising, grounding, and genuinely social.
HOTBOX Social exists to help people feel better, physically and mentally, by bringing together heat, cold, music, and community in one welcoming space.
We're building Bristol's most social sauna experience: a Finnish-style sauna and ice plunge environment designed for connection, recovery, and a proper reset.
“We're building a space where wellness isn't a chore or a quiet retreat - it's a social event. I'm focused on making contrast therapy welcoming for everyone, from first-timers to daily plungers. For me, HOTBOX Social is that perfect middle ground: a place to reset your body, clear your mind, and actually enjoy the process with the people around you.”
“We believe wellness should feel accessible, not overwhelming. It starts with showing up, engaging in the session, building connections across our classes, and making it a consistent part of your lifestyle. Heat, cold, and community - that's the essence.”
Co-Founder / Director
The sauna was always about more than just the heat - it was about the conversations that happened inside. Trafford co-founded HOTBOX Social to bring that culture to Bristol, creating a welcoming environment where first-timers and regulars can feel equally at home. Whether he's refining the sauna build or training in the latest cold-plunge techniques, Trafford's goal is simple: to build a space where people leave feeling physically recharged and socially connected.
Co-Founder / Director
Sam co-founded HOTBOX Social to redefine how wellness fits into everyday life - stripping away the noise and focusing on what actually works. Built around contrast therapy, social classes, and a sober-first approach, HOTBOX is designed to bring people out of the digital world and back into real connection. It's a space to show up, reset, and engage, with a cafe on site that naturally extends the experience beyond the session.