Paus. Cambridge by ‘Bathing Under The Sky.’
Arriving at Paus, walking up the hill across the field through the entrance gate transports you immediately to a world away from nearby city life and hustle and bustle.
The sight that greets you is a number of hot tubs nestle together on a field their crowned chimneys pointing to the sky, eliciting gentle puffs of wood smoke into the sky. The barrel sauna sits alone nearby and as you walk past you can see the flames roaring away heating up the internal stove.
We wandered past and up the path towards a wood clad building, the weather was slightly grey and drizzly and ‘Yoga Under the Skies’ was not meant to be. However the space set out had open doors floor to ceiling with a magnificent panoramic view of the surrounding countryside. As good as being outside but without the drizzle!
A fantastic class from Becky at Chanting Stork Yoga equally suited to all comers, which is a monthly event. There are other events and workshops also being hosted at the Terasse too (lots of info available on the Paus website.
After yoga we had a 3 hour session booked for a hot tub and use of the sauna. Alexandra showed us the facilites. Men’s changing room, ladies changing area as well as the showers and toilets.
We were also given instructions on what to do next and given a towel each to use.
The ladies changing room is lovely and spacious with free to use lockers (no having to remember your £1 coin!) and hairdryer. Alexandra had instructed us to change and then to use the showers. Dutifully we did so, admittedly I was not super keen to use a shower it a portaloo type cabin. However, they were spotlessly clean, the water was hot and the toiletries provided are by Neals Yard and smell amazing. Once back in swim wear and armed with my towel off I headed towards the hot tubs. We were directed to our designated hot tub. There is a small footbath to use at the bottom of the wooden steps up into the hot tub. Stepping into the tub was great, the water is heated to 39C. For taller people than me (5ft5” ish) it is easy to sit down. However as I am not that tall, with a short body, I was offered a small stool to sit on. We were brought a jug of water with lemon and mint. Included in the package was a drink, we both opted for the freshly made lemonade. It was delicious and very refreshing.
Reclining in the hot tub and just watching the clouds float by and the sun make intermittent appearances, with the smell of woodsmoke, the sound of nothing but the water flowing into the ‘cool pool’ the odd bird chirp, it was incredibly relaxing. It almost felt like a huge effort to drag myself out of the tub and sit in the sauna. The temperature was around 95C and it was really refreshing to be in a sauna with daylight. Normally a gloomy dark affair in a lot of places that offer them, to be able to look outside and have natural daylight with views of the countryside was really great. Once I had cooked enough in the sauna it was lovely to step outside into the fresh air and brave the cool shower to the side of the sauna. I was even brave enough to have a short dunk in the cool pool, I do mean short, it was certainly brrrrrrracing.
The next few blissful hours were spent between the hot tub and the sauna. From time to time one of the guys would check the temperature of the water and that the fire was still burning and added a log if necessary. Nothing was too much trouble, very pleasant staff happy to chat or just leave you to it.
Reluctantly at the end of our bathing time we climbed out of the hot tub, had a lovely hot shower and got changed. We walked the few steps to the terasse for a delicious locally sourced light lunch.
We literally floated home and it truly felt like we had been away for a week’s holiday. If you are looking for a restful relaxing few hours off grid, leave your phone in the locker and float your troubles away, Paus is definitely for you. More information here – Paus. Cambridge
