The Dorset Date Idea You Probably Haven't Tried Yet

Dinner and drinks are always nice and going to the cinema is a classic choice, but if you want a Dorset date that's truly different, why not try a private wood-fired sauna on a working farm, surrounded by countryside and alpacas?

Yes, you read that right.

The Cozy Cow Sauna at Shilvington is a family-run farm near Portesham in West Dorset. Here, date night means more steam, fresh air, and animal friends than your usual evening out.

Here, couples can swap crowded restaurants and the usual date-night routine for an hour in their own private wood-fired sauna, stepping outside to cool off in the fresh Dorset air and even feeding the resident alpacas halfway through the experience.

It's quirky, relaxing, and definitely more memorable than debating which movie to see at the cinema.
Forget dinner and drinks. Try something you'll actually remember.

There's nothing wrong with a lovely meal out, but sometimes the best dates are the ones that give you a story to tell afterwards. The Cozy Cow offers private 60-minute sauna sessions for up to six people. Couples can have the whole space to themselves for £55.

No crowded spa, no strangers in the sauna, and no shouting over noise in a busy restaurant.
It's just the two of you, the warmth of a wood-fired sauna, and the Dorset countryside.
And of course, the alpacas.
Yes, your sauna break really can involve feeding alpacas.
This is what makes The Cozy Cow a date experience that's truly different.
Halfway through your sauna session, you can step outside, cool off, and feed the alpacas before heading back into the warmth.

It's an unexpected combination, but that's exactly what makes it so memorable. One minute you're unwinding in the heat of a traditional wood-fired sauna. Next, you're feeding the very friendly alpacas. Try getting that from dinner and a film!

More than a sauna: a fourth-generation Dorset farm

Part of what makes The Cozy Cow so special is where you'll find it.

Shilvington has been owned and farmed by the Bartlett family since the 1930s and is now in its fourth generation, with Martin and Joby Bartlett continuing a way of life that has been shaped here over decades.

Set in a quiet valley between Portesham and Upwey, the working farm is home to Limousin cattle, horses, goats, hens and alpacas, as well as an abundance of local wildlife. Over the years, Shilvington has evolved to welcome visitors to experience the farm and the surrounding countryside for themselves, with holiday accommodation, glamping, cabins, alpaca walks and, more recently, its own wood-fired sauna.

It's this setting that makes a visit to The Cozy Cow feel so different from a traditional spa experience. There are no silent hotel corridors or rows of treatment rooms. Instead, there's open countryside, fresh Dorset air and the everyday sights and sounds of a genuine working farm.

And halfway through your sauna session, you can step outside and feed the alpacas before returning to the warmth.

The joy of actually switching off together

Modern life doesn't always make it easy to give someone your complete attention.
Even on date night, there are phones buzzing, emails arriving and a hundred little distractions competing for your attention.

The Cozy Cow offers something increasingly rare: an excuse to stop.

The combination of heat, fresh air and peaceful countryside creates an opportunity to slow down and spend uninterrupted time together, without needing to plan an elaborate day out or squeeze conversation between life's usual distractions. Sometimes, doing less together can be far more enjoyable.

Never Tried a Sauna Before? The Cozy Cow is Perfect for Beginners

If your idea of wellness doesn't usually extend beyond occasionally remembering to drink enough water, don't be put off. You don't need to be an experienced sauna-goer or someone who starts every morning with an ice bath.
The Cozy Cow is designed to be enjoyed at your own pace. Relax in the heat, step outside when you want to cool down, take in the countryside views and embrace the opportunity to escape the usual routine.

First date or married for 20 years?

We actually think The Cozy Cow works particularly well for couples who've been together for years and reached the inevitable question:
"What shall we do this weekend?"
Followed by:
"I don't know. What do you want to do?"
Whether it's a first date, an anniversary, a birthday surprise or simply an excuse to escape your usual routine, sharing a completely new experience can make an ordinary day feel like an occasion.

The Cozy Cow also hosts special events and collaborations, including sauna and yoga experiences in the countryside, complete with alpacas, so it's worth keeping an eye out for what's coming up.

Make a day of it in West Dorset.

One of the best things about a date at The Cozy Cow is that your sauna session can become part of a much bigger West Dorset adventure.
Located at Shilvington near Portesham, The Cozy Cow is perfectly placed for exploring this beautiful part of Dorset. You could combine your sauna session with a countryside walk, a trip to the coast or lunch at a nearby pub.
You could start your day exploring West Dorset, visit Shilvington for an hour of sauna and alpaca time, then end with dinner or drinks as the sun sets.
Or simply embrace the spirit of the place and do very little at all. After all, the whole point is to slow down.

Ready to try a different kind of Dorset date?

For £55, couples can book a private 60-minute sauna session at The Cozy Cow, with the space accommodating up to six people if you decide to turn date night into a double or triple date.
Come for the wood-fired heat. Stay for the countryside views. Feed the alpacas.
This experience will create a lovely lasting memory. 
To find out more about The Cozy Cow Sauna and book your private session, visit the Shilvington website.