New to floating? You’re in good company. Here’s everything people ask us before, during and after their first hour of nothing.
The questions almost everyone asks first.
Epsom salt is rich in magnesium and has been used therapeutically for centuries. Far from drying you out, it tends to leave skin noticeably soft, and many customers with eczema or psoriasis find it soothing.
None that we know of. Floating has been studied for decades and carries a long list of scientifically supported benefits with no known negative side-effects.
Sleeping in the pod is completely safe and surprisingly common, an hour of floating is often compared to two to three hours of deep sleep, and it can noticeably improve your sleep that night.
The water passes through 1-micron filtration, around 100 times finer than a human hair, plus UV treatment and micro-dosed hydrogen peroxide between every session. Rooms are cleaned between floats and deep-cleaned daily.
Yes, every float can be shared with friends or family, with one exception: the one-time New Customer Intro Package is for individual use.
Regularity matters more than frequency. Monthly is a great baseline; weekly or fortnightly compounds the benefits faster. Pick a rhythm and keep it.
Yes, refer someone who buys a package of £80 or more and you earn a free float as a thank-you.
Very likely, yes. The pods are far more spacious than people expect, and you are in complete control, keep the lid open or the light on for as long as you like.
Most people do, and we recommend it, anything you wear becomes salt-heavy and distracting. But it's entirely your choice.
Digital gift cards can be redeemed through the app or by calling us. For physical cards, give us a call or drop us an email and we'll sort it.
A single float typically leaves you calmer and sleeping better for several days. Float regularly and the effects compound into a noticeably calmer baseline.
Members float monthly or more at the best rates, can bring friends at discounted prices, and get offers from our partner wellness brands.
Single yellow lines nearby are free after 7pm on weekdays and all day Sunday; paid parking close by runs at roughly £4 an hour.
Yes, 15% off with a valid student ID shown at reception (the Intro Package is excluded).
Yes, NHS staff get 15% off with ID at reception (the Intro Package is excluded).
Download the Stamp Me app to enrol and start collecting rewards for your floats.
What floating is, how it works and what to expect.
No, towels, earplugs, toiletries, hairdryers and post-float herbal tea are all provided. Just bring yourself.
Sessions are one hour, and you can book two back-to-back for a two-hour float.
Whenever suits you. Morning floats sharpen focus, afternoon floats are a deep rest, and evening floats set you up for exceptional sleep. Experiment and find yours.
We don't offer overnight floats, two back-to-back sessions is the maximum.
No, an hour is what it takes to reach genuinely deep relaxation. That said, you're free to get out whenever you wish.
No, wash and condition after your float and the magnesium tends to leave hair in better condition, not worse.
The water is held at 35°C, skin temperature, so the boundary between you, the water and the air melts away.
It isn't, 'float pod', 'isolation tank' and 'sensory deprivation tank' describe the same thing. Modern pods are simply a far more comfortable evolution with a friendlier name.
Yes, research stretching back to the 1950s shows reduced pain and stress, better sleep, lower blood pressure, improved athletic recovery and boosted creativity.
Most people step out feeling deeply refreshed and calm. Everyone's experience differs, and the relaxation tends to deepen with each visit as your body learns to let go.
There's no magic number, but many customers notice a step-change around their third session, familiarity makes it much easier to fully surrender to the experience.
Just over half a tonne, around 525kg of Epsom salt per pod. That's what makes floating effortless.
You can, pods start at around £20,000. Get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction.
Everything about our Red Light Therapy Massage Pod sessions.
Before, a Red Light Therapy Massage Pod session warms and loosens the body, setting you up for a deeper, more restorative float.
20 minutes of targeted, deeply relaxing massage.
No, schedule your Red Light Therapy Massage Pod session before your float so wet hair is never an issue.
Yes, choose from a range of programmes, like the Evening programme focused on tired feet, mid-back and lower back.
Stay fully clothed, and socks are required.
Of course, complimentary herbal tea in the Relaxation Room, exactly as after a float.
Booking, rescheduling, validity and payment questions.
The Floatworks app (iOS and Android), book, reschedule and manage everything in a few taps. You can also book right here on the site.
Singles, doubles and Intro Packages are valid for 3 months; 4-float packs for 3 months; 8-float packs for 6 months. Membership floats vary by tier.
We email a reminder 30 days before expiry. If they've already lapsed, get in touch, we look at expired floats case by case.
Free cancellation with 24 hours' notice or more. Inside 24 hours, the full session price is charged.
Email for confirmations and receipts; mobile so we can reach you quickly if anything changes with your appointment.
No, you'll need a separate Floatworks account, created free the first time you book.
Payments are handled by Mindbody at PCI Compliance Level 1, the highest industry standard, with full encryption.
Book two sessions back-to-back for up to two hours. A heads-up: you may faintly hear neighbouring pods being cleaned between the two hours.
Weekday evenings and weekends fill fast, so book around two weeks ahead. Email your studio and we'll add you to the waitlist for cancellations.
Usually the email on file is out of date, or reminders were switched off. Update your details in your account or the app.
Yes, in the studio or by phone. Online we sell digital gift cards only.
Yes, the booking system shows how many pods are free in each slot; book one session per person for the same time.
A no-show without 24 hours' notice is charged in full, the pod was prepared and held for you.
Members can, speak to our Float Guides in the studio or by phone to set up your regular slot.
Book each session individually, then check your profile to confirm they all went through.
Tell our Float Guides your preference and we'll accommodate it whenever we can.
How memberships work, what they include and how to manage yours.
Yes, drop us a line and we'll build something around your team.
Yes, for up to 3 months at a time, with a 3-month gap between freezes. Email us or ask in the studio.
Yes, your monthly payment covers your floats plus member benefits like 20% off retail. Extra floats can be added at member rates.
Details arrive in your member welcome email. Can't find it? Email us and we'll resend everything.
Float four times in a calendar month and your next float is free.
Check the payment schedule in your account first, and if something still looks off, email us and we'll investigate.
Straight through your online account or the app, the discount applies automatically.
The membership itself is personal, but you can gift your floats to others and share your promo code for discounted friend bookings.
Give them the promo code from your welcome email to use when they book.
Three months. After that, cancel anytime with 10 days' written notice.
Yes, your membership works at every Floatworks location.
Yes, you can hold multiple memberships on one account for any monthly quantity.
Yes, pick any start date when you set it up.
Our pods, our apps and getting in touch.
World-leading Float Pods, exclusive to us in the UK, with the finest filtration available, extra-large interiors, uniquely safe heating and zero electromagnetic emission.
Yes, they're available in our studios, and free with a Floatworks Membership.
Email us and we'll share our media pack and set something up.
Please do, via the feedback forms in the studio or the online feedback form. We read everything.
Wonderful, email us and let's talk.
The Floatworks app is on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android.
Who can float, health conditions and staying comfortable.
Yes, always, mention any condition when booking, read the waiver carefully, and check with your doctor if you're unsure.
No. The water is so buoyant that sinking is physically impossible, you float effortlessly whether awake or asleep.
Yes, and many mums-to-be say it's the best hour of their month. Floating relieves the physical strain beautifully, just check with your doctor or midwife first.
Yes, many find it eases cramps. Simply follow the same hygiene practices you would for swimming.
Our Angel studio has accessible facilities. Email us before booking so we can plan the right support for your visit.
Yes, customers must be over 16, for health and safety reasons.
Avoid floating during a flare-up, as salt stings broken skin. Between flare-ups, regular floating may actually help by lowering the stress hormones that trigger them.
Wear the earplugs we provide. If salt does get in, a cotton bud with warm water or a 1:1 vinegar-water mix clears it.
The salt can draw out a little moisture, so drink water before and after and you'll be fine.
Best to skip shaving on float days as the salt will sting. If you must, cover the area with the vaseline we provide.
No, we operate a strict no-drugs policy, and anyone who appears under the influence won't float that day.
No, floating intoxicated is both unpleasant and unsafe, so we don't allow it.
Floating naturally lowers blood pressure, which is generally a benefit, but if yours runs low, check with your doctor first.
For safety we'll postpone your session, it will be rescheduled or refunded, never lost.
Almost certainly, the pod interior is 8.5ft by 5.5ft and nobody has failed to fit comfortably yet.
None, half a tonne of salt floats everyone.
Wait 4 to 6 weeks (and confirm with your artist). Fresh ink and concentrated salt water don't mix.
Disinfection is primarily UV light plus ultra-fine filtration, supported by small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. One diluted chlorine spray a day treats the ventilation only, never the water you float in.
Small cuts are fine, seal them with the vaseline provided. Salt water stings but actually promotes healing. Large or open wounds mean waiting until they've healed.
Unfortunately not, safety regulations don't allow it.
Use the petroleum jelly provided as a barrier, avoid shaving or waxing that day, and clear up any infection before you float.
Simple ways to get the most from your session.
Not really, just avoid shaving and ideally caffeine on float day. Everything else is taken care of.
Arrive 15 minutes early to check in and settle. Up to 5 minutes late is usually fine; more than 15 minutes and we may need to reschedule so the next floater isn't affected.
A light meal about two hours before is perfect, neither hungry nor full in the pod.
Wait until you've washed it at least twice so the dye is fully set and can't tint the water.
Better not, if deep relaxation is the goal, though if you drink it daily, have your usual to avoid a withdrawal headache, or lean into an ideas-generating float.
You can keep them in, just be careful not to get salt water in your eyes, as it irritates.
It rinses away oils and products, keeping the water pristine and the filtration working efficiently for everyone.
We recommend it, both to protect it from the salt and to feel completely unrestricted. We can't be responsible for lost or damaged pieces.
Yes please, remove it fully before you get in.
Lids, lights, music, and what to actually do in there.
Floating is a solo experience, that's the point of sensory rest, but book simultaneous sessions and you can arrive, float and debrief over tea together.
Completely normal, especially early on. Don't force it, watch your thoughts drift past with mild curiosity. The switching-off gets easier every float.
A few gentle stretches help you settle, then simply rest. Without stimulation, an hour passes remarkably fast, most people wish it were longer.
It won't really work, water finds its way in, and the cap dulls the sensory experience. Better to embrace it and wash after.
It stings, grab the fresh-water spray bottle kept inside every pod for instant relief.
Absolutely. The lid is fully manual and entirely under your control. Closed keeps the temperature and darkness perfect, but open is fine too.
Yes, you control the light completely. Darkness deepens the experience, but plenty of customers keep a soft glow on.
Silence maximises the benefits, but if you'd prefer gentle music throughout, tell your Float Guide and they'll set up a relaxing track.
Not at the moment, it's something we may offer in future.
Not currently, though it's on our radar for the future.
They're optional but strongly recommended, free, comfortable, and they keep salt water out of your ears.
Read our full explainer on what floating is and how it works, or skip straight to experiencing it yourself.
