£250 million waterpark coming to the UK looks like something out of a dream
If you thought rainy old Manchester in the north of England would be the last place you'd ever think about going to chill out on a beach, then think again.
There'll be no need to sob silently as you look at holiday brochures for Dubai, as a £250 million complex, called Therme Manchester, is coming to Manchester's Trafford Centre.
The size of 19 football pitches (28 acres), Therme Manchester describes itself as the UK's 'first city-based wellbeing resort' which not only has physical health in mind, but mental wellbeing too.
Advert
It's set to be an 'immersive experience' which alongside a 'next generation' waterpark, and 'thermal bathing and a wellbeing spa' will also have 'immersive digital art, an on-site urban farm and botanical gardens'.
"With unique design features including an all-season urban beach and the world's first living waterslides, Therme Manchester will be a landmark development for the city and is set to become an iconic symbol of the North-West of England," its website reads.
Unlike having to spend thousands on flights to Dubai and face lengthy queues at the airport to feel your toes in the sand, Therme Manchester has 'entry prices to suit every budget' and will be easily accessible.
Prices are set to be similar to its first site in Romania, where they're sectioned into off-peak and peak, with prices ranging from £10 to £26 for adults depending on time-length and area, children under three going free and kids aged between 3-14 around half the price of adults.
However, children might not get let off the hook so easily - every day is a learning day after all - as a 'visitor and education centre for school and community groups' could be how they visit Therme Manchester where they'll 'learn about health, sustainability, food and nature'.
Designed to 'benefit the economy, society and environment of the community it serves', the waterpark is also looking to 'create a new access point to the neighbouring Bridgewater canal, opening up additional cycle and pedestrian routes for visitors'.
The site is set to boast 25 pools, more than 35 waterslides, 30 plus steam rooms and saunas, 1,500+ biodiverse trees, fitness classes, a wellbeing garden, urban farms and beehives and an all-season indoor beach.
Landowner Peel L&P submitted plans to Trafford Council to demolish the area to make way for the theme park earlier this month.
The park is expected to bring in £4.5bn and create 1,200 jobs.
Richard Land, Chief Development Officer, Therme Group UK said: “We are delighted to have reached this critical stage with Peel L&P, which marks the beginning of on-site works for Therme Manchester.
"An iconic project for the city as well as for the entire UK, this milestone confirms the arrival of Therme in the North. It also solidifies our vision for 90% of the UK to be within easy reach of a Therme destination, with future developments planned for Glasgow, London and other key cities."
Construction on the site is expected to begin next year and hopefully completed by 2025.
And if you can't wait a couple of years, then you can always travel to Therme's other park in Bucharest, Romania.
Poppy Bilderbeck