Travel & Tourism

The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort

A real game-changer.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 15th September 2025

The build of Therme Manchester, which is set to be the UK’s largest wellbeing resort, is finally underway, with a loose opening date announced.

The construction phase of the massive spa project begins this month – when it completes, it will be made up of 10 pools, 15 waterslides, sustainable gardens and a diverse range of restaurants and cafes.

The entire thing will be kept at a balmy 33ºC all year round using advanced technology, with warm water lagoons, botanical gardens and palm trees giving the site a real tropical feel.

Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025 – it’s now up to £450m and is scheduled to complete for the end of 2028.

It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.

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Last week, a Beyond Groundbreaking event was held at the site of the new wellbeing resort near the Trafford Centre, bringing together local leaders, partners, and community members.

There, it was announced that Therme Manchester is set to create around 2,500 direct construction jobs, as well as 650 staff positions to operate the resort when it opens.

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The business has already supported initiatives across the city, including the Manchester Marathon, NHS programmes and cultural events.

The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort
The latest on Therme Manchester opening date as construction finally begins on huge wellbeing resort

Therme Manchester is setting out to have a ‘significantly lower’ carbon footprint than other spa experiences, helped along by locally-sourced materials, and innovative construction methods such as air source heat pumps and on-site 3D printing.

As well as state-of-the-art swimming and thermal bathing areas, there’ll be spa and fitness zones, immersive digital art, sustainable gardens and a diverse range of restaurants and cafes.

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Professor David Russell, Therme UK CEO said: “Today marks the official beginning of a once-in-a-generation project for Manchester and the North West.

“Therme Manchester will be a place for everyone – a unique destination where wellbeing, sustainability, art and culture come together. Our vision is to make a lasting positive impact: creating jobs, supporting communities, and helping people live healthier, happier lives for years to come.”

James Whittaker, Managing Director of Peel Waters said: “We’re thrilled to have reached this pivotal moment as work begins on site at Therme Manchester.

The site of Therme Manchester in Trafford
The site of Therme Manchester in Trafford

“It marks the culmination of years of close collaboration between Peel Waters and Therme Group, an extraordinary partnership built on shared values and wanting to deliver the very best for our community.

“From our very first meeting, we knew Therme’s vision would be transformational, and together we’ve worked tirelessly to get to this moment and start the build of this world-class wellness destination in TraffordCity.

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“Therme Manchester will be a true gamechanger not just for TraffordCity, but for Greater Manchester and the North. It will regenerate a key site, create thousands of jobs, and deliver a landmark experience that promotes health, happiness, and connection.

“We’re very proud to be part of a project that will completely redefine leisure and wellbeing in the UK and Europe.”

An aerial view of how Therme Manchester will look
An aerial view of how Therme Manchester will look

Neil Martin, Chief Executive at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We are proud to be Construction Manager for Therme Manchester, a project that aligns with our commitment to sustainability, technical excellence and making a meaningful difference to communities.

“We look forward to delivering this world-class destination that will transform wellbeing and benefit TraffordCity and the wider region for generations to come.”

A spokesperson from Trafford Council said: “The Therme project is fantastic news for Trafford, and I am delighted that construction work has started on this one-in-a-lifetime scheme. The resort will attract millions of visitors each year and will provide hundreds of construction jobs and full-time jobs for the borough.

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“Therme Manchester is a fantastic, visionary development and it supports several of our key commitments – helping provide a thriving economy, improving health and wellbeing and regenerating a vacant brownfield site in a sustainable location.”

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Featured image: Supplied

Travel & Tourism

The hillside farm in the Peak District making its own ice cream

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Hope Valley Ice Cream in the Peak District

Did you know there’s a 300-year-old farm in the Peak District serving up some of the freshest ice cream you’ll ever taste? And yes, you can meet the cows that made it while you’re there.

Welcome to Hope Valley Ice Cream, a family-run gem where things are kept refreshingly simple: happy cows, proper farming, and seriously good ice cream.

Set in the heart of the Peak District countryside, this place is about as wholesome as it gets.

The ice cream is made on-site in the farmhouse, literally just metres from where the dairy herd are out grazing.

You can watch the animals, wander around the farm, and then tuck into a scoop or three perched on a milk pail stool, or a picnic bench (or even a decorative tractor).

Hope Valley Ice Cream has some amazing seasonal ice creams, like lemon curd, elderflower, and blackberry, alongside all the classics and a rather delicious tiramisu.

You can grab a cone, sit down with a coffee (again, made with milk from the nearby cows), or go all in with a freshly-made waffle if you’re feeling fancy.

Takeaway tubs from Hope Valley Ice Cream
Takeaway tubs from Hope Valley Ice Cream
You can get a mini pail of ice cream
You can get a mini pail of ice cream
Meet the newborn calves at Hope Valley Ice Cream
Meet the newborn calves at Hope Valley Ice Cream
Tuck into your ice cream on a milk pail stool
Tuck into your ice cream on a milk pail stool
Hope Valley Ice Cream
Hope Valley Ice Cream

And if you’re the type who really loves ice cream? You can actually order a full pail of it, with four huge scoops plus whipped cream and sauce.

The farm itself is run by the Marsden family, who’ve been working this land for generations. It shows in everything – they’ve created a place that feels genuinely welcoming, not just another tourist stop.

Beyond the ice cream, you’ve got plenty of reasons to stick around. There are calves (including the newest tiny arrivals), plus donkeys and pigs to say hello to.

Whether you’re heading out on a hike or just fancy a drive into the Peaks, this is one pitstop that’s absolutely worth it – and honestly, it’s worth the trip on its own.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Unspoiled Lancashire village with no aerials or road signs named one of the best places to visit this spring

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Downham has been named one of the prettiest villages to visit this spring

A village in Lancashire has been named one of the best places to visit in the UK this spring – and it’s not hard to see why. 

The picturesque little village of Downham has been owned by the same family for centuries, and has no road signs, no aerials, no overhead phone lines. It really is totally unspoiled. 

The Assheton family, who reside at Downham Hall, has ensure the village and surrounding farms remain as a preserved, unspoilt community.

And that’s caught plenty of attention over the years, with the village used as a setting for TV and films over the years thanks to its historic charm.

After you’re done wandering, you can grab a scoop of local ice cream, or a pint in the 18th century Assheton Arms gastropub nearby. 

The village has just been named one of the top places to visit in the UK this spring in a new guide released by LNER.

They said Downham feels like ‘a step away from the everyday’.

The listing says: “If you’re looking for somewhere that feels a step away from the everyday, Downham is a good place to start.

“Family-owned for generations, the village has kept things simple, no road signs, no aerials, just open views and a quiet sense of history.

“Set within the Forest of Bowland, it’s easy to see why it’s been used as a backdrop for films and TV over the years, including Whistle Down the Wind and The Secret of Crickley Hall.

“Grab a scoop of local Lancashire ice cream from the village shop and head to the banks of Downham Brook, a perfect spot to sit and listen to the water as the village wakes up for spring.

“Finish your trip at the award-winning Assheton Arms; this 18th-century gastropub sits at the highest point of the village, serving up seasonal plates alongside tranquil countryside vistas that make the modern world feel miles away.”

David Flesher, Commercial Director atLNER, said: “At this time of year, many people are looking for a chance to make the most of longer days and see more of the country as it’s changing with the season.

“Across the UK, some of the best scenery sits beyond the larger towns and cities, in villages that offer a different pace and new experiences. Travelling by rail is one of the best ways to reach these places and enjoy the journey along the way.

“This research highlights destinations that showcase the variety of landscapes across the country, encouraging people to step outside their usual routine and see more of what’s on their doorstep, and further afield.”

See the full guide HERE.

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Featured image: Geograph, David Dixon

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