Frequently Asked Questions

Lots of people express this concern before they first float, but end up feeling safe and comfortable.  You are in full control of your environment when you float.  You are free to get in and out whenever you wish.  Some people prefer to keep the door open and the light on, which is fine.  Others prefer to minimise distractions.  There is no right way of doing it.  Floating in silent darkness gives the sense of being suspended in limitless space.  Our advice would be to give it a try – we think you will be very pleasantly surprised.  In fact, you probably won’t want to get out at the end!

Have a read of our blog for more about claustrophobia.

Follow this link for more about how we keep the water clean.

The float itself is one hour long. However we recommend that you allow two hours for the whole visit.  This is because you will need some time beforehand to be shown around (particularly on your first visit), time for showers and getting dressed, and some time afterwards to relax before heading off.

If you think an hour sounds like a long time, have a read of our blog on time floating (it won’t take long to read!)

We recommend that you float naked, but of course it’s up to you.  You will be in your own private room, with a shower and a lock on the door.  Pretty much everyone floats naked, and finds it more comfortable that way.  The sensation of fabric against your skin can be distracting during your float, and being naked means you can feel truly free.  Would you wear a swimming costume in the bath?

You must be certain that no hair dye will come out of your hair when you float.

This is because it can contaminate the float solution and stain the float pod.

It is costly to put this right, because it involves dumping the contaminated float solution, working to remove the stain, and refilling with fresh water and Epsom salt and reheating. This takes 36-48 hours, and any floats planned during that time will need to be rescheduled, resulting in lost income.

By coming to float you accept liability for any such costs, and you agree to pay them immediately they are incurred. These costs will be at least £1639.

Different types of dyes take different amounts of washing to get to the point where no colour comes out any more, so the period of time since you dyed your hair and the number of times you have washed it are not the only considerations.

It is possible to float regularly and dye your hair regularly too, you just need to take care with the timings of your appointments.

Some ways to test at home before you come to float include ensuring that no colour comes out of your hair in the water when you shower, and that no colour comes off on a white towel when you vigorously dry your hair.

If you arrive for your float and the staff have concerns that colour may come out of your hair when you float, you may not be allowed to float. You may be invited to test that no colour comes out by allowing a small part of your hair to be soaked in Epsom salt solution, and rubbed with a white towel. If you decline to test your hair, or if any colour comes off when tested, then you will not be allowed to float. There is no way around this, and wearing a swimming cap will not help. You will not receive any refund, and you will not be able to reschedule.

It is up to you to make sure that no hair dye will come out of your hair when you float, and if in any doubt do not book until you are sure.

There is some general information about things you should and shouldn’t do before your float here, and you can find our Terms & Conditions here.

Sorry but no. You need to make sure you have removed any fake tan before you come to float. Check out the reasons why in this short video from Shari…
(Thank you for your understanding with this)

You don’t need to bring anything but yourself and an open mind! We provide towels, toiletries, earplugs, a vaseline-type product (for covering minor cuts and grazes), and hairdryers.  You may wish to bring your own cosmetics or toiletries if you prefer, and if you wear contact lenses, please bring your kit to take them out. You can find out more about some of our suppliers and why we chose them here. Find out more about preparing for your float here.

Like many things, floating is not advised during the first trimester.  It is also not recommended too soon after giving birth, until you have healed.  Other than those times, floating can give profound relief from the physical strains of pregnancy. The uniform and gentle support of the water offer a comfort which cannot be found elsewhere.  If you are finding lying in bed uncomfortable, the feeling of weightlessness that floating offers will be a revelation.  Floating offers a real rest for you and your baby.

Find out more on our pregnancy page, and you may also be interested in this first-hand report.

Floating is a very private experience. You float in your own fully private room, with your own private shower for your exclusive use, and a lock on the door.  This is a place you can truly rest, and a time which is yours alone.

Follow this link for more about privacy and floatation.

• Please don’t come to float under influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Please don’t come to float if you have any open wounds, partly for hygienic reasons, but also because the salt in the float pod will make the wound uncomfortable.
• See other FAQs about hair dye, floating while on your period, and after recent tattoos or piercings.

For your comfort, we also recommend that you do not come to float after:

• Caffeine (within the last 4 hours)
• A large meal within the last hour or so
• Waxing (eg within the last 24 to 48 hours)
• Shaving (eg within the last 12 to 24 hours)
• Recent vigorous sex
• Soon after giving birth (before you have healed)

… as these are likely to detract (and distract) from your experience.  Find out more about preparing for your float here.

Shari talks about some of these things in this short video:

Are you hoping to book 2 simultaneous floats using 2 separate payment methods? It might be that you have 2 separate single float gift cards, or maybe one of you has a gift card and the other is paying separately.

You can book two floats at the same time using 2 separate payment methods. Here’s how:

Go to the booking page here.

First find a time when both pods are free by looking at ‘Bring a friend’.

Then go back and choose ‘float’ and book person 1 in with their name, contact details and code / payment method.

Finally, choose ‘float’ again and book person 2 in with their name, their contact details and their code / payment method.

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can find a time when two pods are free by looking at ‘Bring a friend’ then just give us a call.

There is also some general information about things you should and shouldn’t do before your float here.

Those who:

• have open wounds, sores, or rashes
• have a contagious illness or disease
• are incontinent
• have uncontrolled kidney disease
• have uncontrolled psychosis or schizophrenia
• are allergic to Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) or hydrogen peroxide
• have an uncontrolled seizure disorder
• have an uncontrolled heart condition
• have a condition which means they shouldn’t get water in their ears
• recently had chemotherapy
• are a risk to themselves or others due to the influence of any drug including alcohol
  … and those who do not respect the staff, facilities and fellow floaters at Float in the Forest

If in any doubt about whether you can float with your health condition, please consult your doctor first, and we’d be happy to provide a document to explain to them what floating is all about.

You can find our Terms & Conditions here.

Yes, if you use a tampon or menstrual cup to control your menstruation, as you would in a swimming pool.

No need to worry, the inside of the pod is 7.5 feet or 2.3m long, so unless you’re taller than that, you will fit no problem.

Find out more about our float pods here.

Float in the Forest is on the ground floor, predominantly on a level, with some 1:12 ramps. You must be capable of independently moving around the float centre safely. Getting in and out of the float pod is similar to getting in and out of a bath, so you must be able to do this unaided, or be accompanied by someone who is qualified and insured to help you with this. Please see our mobility and accessibility page for more information.

However it doesn’t happen in the float pod, in fact your skin will feel great after your float, as Will explains here:

You can book your float here.

We can’t wait to host your float!

We encourage you to embrace the peace and quiet, as part of the magic of the float experience. We often find that people tend to get the deepest relaxation and the greatest benefits from floating in the quiet darkness. Many of the benefits of floatation arise from the reduced sensory input. It is rare to get such an opportunity for peace!

Five minutes before the end, the music returns to gently let you know your float is reaching its conclusion.

Here are a few words about it from Shari:

And some thoughts from Will about releasing our attention from the external world:

When you lie back in the water your ears will be underwater.

We provide earplugs which you can wear if you choose, but either way you’ll need to give your ears a good rinse out in the shower afterwards. Will explains more in this short video:

Yes, please do!  Each float pod is designed for just one person to float in at a time, and each one is in its own private room.  We have three float rooms, so three people can float at the same time.  It can be a lot of fun to go for a float with a friend or partner.  That way you will emerge from your float rooms at the same time, and can share the blissful post-float glow in the lounge with a cup of tea together.

You can book two simultaneous floats (called ‘Bring a friend) or a ‘Trio float’ on our booking page.

You will be shown to your own private room with your own personal shower and float pod. You will shower before your float, including washing your hair.  Float and emerge transformed, having another shower afterwards to wash off the salt water.

Then you can enjoy your relaxation in the post-float lounge where there will be teas, books, artwork and comfy chairs. Take your time and relax!  Find out more about preparing for your float and after your float here.

The minimum age to float with us here at Float in the Forest is 18.  We may require you to produce photo ID as proof of age.

If you are under 18, or know someone who is and who would like to float, we would be happy to point you to other float centres where you can do this, just contact us to ask.

Follow this link for more about why you don’t need to be able to swim.

Please bear in mind a few things: you’ll need to know that they are able to agree to our terms & conditions (for example regarding health conditions), there are some things they’ll need to do in advance of coming, and other things that will help get the most out of their float experience.

Shari talks you through some things to consider if you’re booking a float for someone else, in this short video…

Sometimes people have questions about how they work: how to order them, how will they receive the certificate, how to pass them onto the recipient, and more. Shari answers all these questions in this FAQ video…

We love dogs, so we completely understand if you need to factor them in when making plans. We would love to say hello to your dog if there is the opportunity, but unfortunately your dog can’t come into the float centre. This is partly because we have our own dog Chai, and partly because not everyone likes dogs.

Please don’t leave your dog in the car, even more so in the wamer weather. As The Dogs Trust say, “A dog could die in a hot car in just minutes. Winding a window down is not enough to help your dog stay cool.”

Thankfully we have another option… our local friendly dog-walkers! We are partnering with 2 local dog-walkers, and we personally recommend them from experience with our canine friends. They could come to meet you at the float centre just before your float appointment and collect your dog, then bring them back 2 hours later having had wonderful forest adventures. Of course this all depends on the dog-walkers’ availability and criteria, so please reach out to them as far in advance as possible, so you can find out about their availability and match this to available float times.

Cat from Cat’s Dog Walking, who is available on weekdays in the summer, and maybe at weekends too during the winter. Text Cat on 07790036825.

Rachel from Rachel’s Rambling Rovers, who is available during the 10am floats only, mostly on weekdays but possibly weekends too. Email Rachel on rachel@rambling-rovers.co.uk

(In this video we also mention Lisa from Paws a While with me, but Lisa is no longer working in this area.)

Please arrange to meet them outside the float centre 15 minutes before your float appointment, and let us know when you have made the arrangement.

We are committed to simple, clear and fair pricing.

Choose from a single float, float on with a pack of three, or make regular floating part of your life with a membership and get the very best deal.

We want to share the cumulative benefits of floating with as many people as we can, so these options are priced so that the more often you float, the more you save.  Read full details of the options and prices here.