Water parks might not be the first attraction you think of when it comes to the UK but that may be about to change. US-based developer Great Wolf Lodge is planning to build a brand new one in Chesterton near Bicester, Oxfordshire. With 23 resorts in the US and Canada, Great Wolf is now crossing the pond to open three lodges in the UK.
The first one is planned in Chesterton on an old golf course due to its proximity to London and good links to the motorway network. A train from London to Bicester takes approximately 45 minutes, costing around £14 one way. The project is expected to cost roughly £200 million to complete, and create 600 jobs for local people.
The local council has granted planning permission, however, there are no completion dates so far. A recently submitted planning application for the Basingstoke site in Hampshire estimates that construction will take about two years to complete. However, it’s unclear whether the same timeline will apply to the Bicester project. In any case, the water park could be up and running before 2030.
The resort should include a grand lobby, guest suites, water park, aquadrome, adventure park and conference space. A 500-bed hotel is also part of the plans along with an outdoor swimming pool.
Great Wolf Resorts currently operates 20 branded resorts in the US and Canada, having first launched in 1997. A family of four looking for a one-night stay at a Great Wolf Resort in the US would be set back at least $199 (£157).
A spokesperson for Great Wolf Lodge told the Basingstoke Gazette: “We have been exploring opportunities to expand our signature Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort experience beyond North America, and we are excited by the growth potential within the UK market.”
