In a significant move, the United Kingdom's oldest wooden sauna, a historic relic from the 1948 London Olympics, has been granted Grade II-listed status by the government. The decision comes after an advocacy campaign involving the Finnish ambassador to the UK, Finland's Olympic committee, and a dedicated group of sauna enthusiasts from Kent who had been actively using the sauna until recently.

This prefabricated wooden building, installed during the postwar "austerity" Games, has remained almost unchanged since its inception. The Grade II listing places it in the same category of protection as iconic structures like the Barbican, Alexandra Palace, and the Radio City Tower in Liverpool.

Historic England, the organization overseeing the national register of protected buildings, described the sauna as a "unique relic" of the 1948 London Olympics. Tim Horne, Historic England's listing adviser, emphasized the multiple layers of significance that make the sauna particularly interesting.

Not only is it one of the few surviving buildings from the 1948 Games, but it is also believed to be the oldest sauna in continuous use in Britain and possibly the oldest Olympic sauna globally. The Finnish company responsible for providing the building, Puutalo Oy, played a crucial role in postwar prefabricated structures, making the sauna's level of preservation highly unusual.

The sauna was initially installed in London by the Finnish Olympic delegation for the benefit of its athletes. After the Olympics concluded, it was donated to the nation. In 1949, the sauna found a new home in Aylesford, Kent, where it continued to be in use by members of a company's staff social club.

Richard Young, secretary and treasurer of the Cobdown sauna club, expressed their realization of the sauna's importance after it was forced to close in 2020 due to various issues. The club members reached out to Finland's Olympic committee, which, in turn, alerted the Finnish ambassador in London, Jukka Siukosaari. The ambassador personally visited the sauna and joined the campaign for its protection.

The newly awarded Grade II listing not only recognizes the historical significance of the sauna but also opens avenues for potential grant funding to support its restoration. However, the primary goal is to secure the sauna's future, ensuring the preservation of this unique piece of Olympic heritage.