Business Hour
A new £16 million development in the heart of the Lancashire countryside, is set to become one of the UK’s largest, luxury spas
The success story that is Crow Wood Leisure is about to become an iconic destination on the UK map, having undergone an impressive multi-million-pound extension that will see it become arguably the largest and most luxurious spa in the country.
The man behind Crow Wood is Andrew Brown, who has invested £16 million in this new development that will see the original, and not insignificant, 30,000 sq ft spa double in size to a huge 60,000 sq ft, featuring:
• The dramatic Vitality Pool boasting no less than four spacious hot tubs, two of which are elevated with an infinity edge, a variety of water canons and massage stations and a gentle rain shower which falls softly to the pool to relaxing effect
• A fabulous, barrel-vaulted ceiling is best appreciated from the ergonomic heated loungers, accessed via the heated poolside promenade
• A mezzanine featuring a variety of bespoke relaxation areas with sensory lighting
• A world-leading, multi-sensory KLAFS ice lounge – the first in the UK and inspired by Scandinavian culture and science-backed benefits of heat/ice experiences
• Roman foot baths featuring foot reflexology massage designed to target specific pressure points and stimulate a refreshing energy flow throughout the entire body
• Additional luxury spa treatment rooms and changing facilities
• Spacious and beautiful relaxation room providing the ultimate, peaceful environment, perfect for recharging and meditation
• A south-facing rooftop terrace giving prominence to the UK’s largest hot tub, with its infinity edge affording surprising views stretching into the distance to the hills. A range of sun loungers upon which to make the most of the warmth afforded by this south-facing suntrap, comfortable firepit lounge areas and a rooftop restaurant and bar with retractable roof and windows
• Impressive full refurbishment including a significant extension to Bertram’s Restaurant with a new state-of-the-art kitchen, which in itself will be one of the largest in the UK
• Imposing double-height welcoming reception and beautiful guest areas
“It’s all about the guest journey and experience,” says Andrew. “The new spa will be more impressive, even in comparison to what we had before.”
Andrew first acquired the 100-acre Crow Wood site 23 years ago and developed a member-only health club and spa before subsequently redeveloping the spa 11 years ago. Originally travelling the UK visiting other spas to find out what spa clients wanted from their visit, Andrew says: “We are now drawing on 11 years’ of experience and armed with that knowledge, we believe we have created something incredibly special.
“We know what people enjoy and we know what they have come to expect. In terms of turnover, square footage and the number of visitors we are anticipating, this is arguably the biggest and best spa in the UK.”
The latest development has been three years in the making as Andrew explains: “Back in 2020, people just couldn’t book into the spa as it was that busy. It was permanently booked solid – we were so busy we were having to turn guests away.”
Realising the need to expand to accommodate demand, Andrew and his management team, collaborated with architects, builders and spa and leisure specialists to design his vision for the future of Crow Wood’s resort, choosing the very best, world-class equipment and materials.
Today, this stunning redevelopment is almost ready. The spa extension will seamlessly integrate with the existing facilities, which have won multiple globally-recognised awards and currently holds the Good Spa Guide Awards title of Best UK Hotel Spa. If all goes to plan, the spa will be unveiled and open to guests sometime in July and it will not disappoint even the most experienced spa aficionado.
Andrew has continually invested in Crow Wood. The member-only gym recently underwent a £2 million transformation and features dedicated studios for yoga, dance and aerobics-based workouts and one of the most technologically advanced spinning studios in the UK.
In 2019, at a cost of £13.6 million, the resort’s 76-bedroomed hotel launched. Located within its own 50-acre parkland, which is also home to a variety of wildlife and deer, the hotel has fast become the area’s wedding venue of choice and also hosts other events from dinner dances to corporate conferences.
First and foremost, however, the resort hotel affords spa visitors the opportunity to enjoy a short break and make the most of all that this destination has to offer. Spa break guests can experience the relaxing thermal experiences and pools, a luxurious treatment in one of the new treatment rooms and enjoy a choice of exceptional dining experiences in one of the resort’s award-winning Rosette restaurants, share tapas on the terrace or maybe kick back and indulge in pizza in the new rooftop restaurant.
Crow Wood is a destination in itself, with the Woodland Spa at its centre. Due to the sheer number of experiences available, it will attract visitors from all over the UK – the emphasis on quality and pure enjoyment has been factored in at every turn and the reputation for quality is synonymous with the Crow Wood brand.
Behind the scenes, the resort places high importance on its environmental commitment – an enormous solar array is being installed, which will drastically reduce the use of non-renewable energy. All the necessary infrastructure has also been installed to make the spa highly efficient with the lowest environmental impact. Huge boiler rooms housing heating systems, plumbing and all the complex gadgetry to service the latest high-tech equipment are hidden away in a maze of ground-floor corridors, which also lead to some much-enhanced colleague changing and relaxation areas.
Speaking of the development, Andrew adds: “We have the capacity to double guest numbers in line with the sheer size of the spa. However, we won’t be doing that, instead we see this as another opportunity to enhance our guest experience, ensuring that we maintain an intimate and exclusive atmosphere. The aim of this project has always been to produce a world-class spa and offer affordable exclusivity – and that’s exactly what we have achieved.”
The new Crow Wood spa is due to open in July 2024. The Woodland Spa is inviting guests to register to be one of the very first to experience it when it opens its doors.
