UK’s first all-season beach with ‘lapping waves’ and ‘soft sands’ unveiled for £250m waterpark

Plans for the UK’s first all-season beach have been unveiled as part of Manchester’s upcoming £250m indoor waterpark. 

New CGI images of the Therme Manchester indoor resort and spa coming to TraffordCity have shown the vision for the country’s first all-season indoor beach, which is billed to include ‘lapping waves’ and ‘soft sands’. 

Bosses say the ‘urban beach’ element of the resort will form part of Therme’s ‘next generation waterpark’ with thirty-five water slides, thermal bathing and a wellbeing spa.

There will also be ‘immersive digital art features’ alongside an on-site urban farm and botanical gardens in what has been pitched to become ‘the UK’s largest waterpark’.

Therme Manchester

Therme Manchester

Therme Manchester, which is coming as part of a partnership with Peel L&P, will also be using technology to make the development as sustainable as possible, including the world’s first ‘living waterslides’ with a 3D printed superstructure to house thousands of plants.

The resort will also include a visitor and education centre on site, which will give schools and community groups the opportunity to learn about sustainability, food and nature.

Bosses say the combination of features highlights Therme’s aim to be far more than just the average waterpark and spa, saying their aim is to ‘create an integrated experience to benefit physical and mental health’.

Stelian Iacob, senior vice president of Therme Group and CEO of Therme Group UK, said on the new development: “Our commitment to bring Therme Manchester to the UK is as strong as ever.

“Expert independent studies have shown the hugely positive economic and social impact that Therme Manchester will have, helping to create jobs, economic prosperity and bringing health and wellbeing to the daily lives of millions of guests.”

Therme Manchester

Therme Manchester

James Whittaker, Executive Director of Development at Peel L&P, added: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Therme Group to develop this exceptional wellbeing resort in TraffordCity.

“Therme Manchester will lead the way in health and wellbeing and with the updated plans now including the UK’s first all-season urban beach and the world’s first living waterslides.

“We are excited to continue working with Therme Manchester to deliver this innovative health and wellbeing experience in TraffordCity, the UK’s foremost retail, leisure and commercial destination.”

Therme is aiming to submit its revised plans to Trafford Council in the summer. Construction of the development is predicted to begin in 2023, with the build time estimated to last around two years.

Visit the Therme Manchester website for more information.