The £75million seaside attraction set to open in the UK with 250m sandy beach, thermal spa and open-air swimming ‘cove’

A HUGE resort right on the UK coast has revealed its grand plans to open with a thermal spa and open-air swimming pool.

The £75million leisure attraction The Cove Resort was first announced back in 2020.

The ‘word class’ resort will be on the Southport esplanade, with an “Endless Surf” lagoon in the middle offering surfing and water activities.

It will also have a leisure beach next to the pool, as well as a thermal spa with steam rooms, saunas, Turkish baths and a floatation pool.

Guests will be able to stay overnight with an on-site four-star hotel.

The Cove Resort’s co-founders Tony Howard and Tamlyn Stone confirmed they had come to an agreement with Sefton Council over their proposals.

Mr Howard told :  “We’re thrilled with this agreement and what this now means for progressing the project in Southport.

“Even before we made our proposals for The Cove public, the Esplanade site was always number one on our list.

“It is quite exceptional to have such a stunning natural backdrop and yet be only minutes from the town centre by foot.”

He added that the open-air pool was “paying tribute” to the Victorian town’s history when it was a popular staycation destination with open-air baths, many of which have since closed down.

Mr Howard added: “My grandmother was present at the grand opening of the sea bathing lake in 1928.

“As a child I would hear her stories, clearly it was a time of glamour, sophistication, and liberation.”

“Our concept aligns with the town’s heritage, but it is reimagined in a very modern way.”

Locals have expressed their excitement over the plans.

One wrote: “This will be amazing when it’s built and open. a real tourist attraction and great for locals too.

“Along with a newly built events centre, it makes Southport stand out from other seaside towns.”

Another commented: “If this actually happens and is done properly it will be amazing.”

A third agreed: “Fantastic news!”

The resort hopes to open by 2025, although ticket prices are yet to be revealed.

It comes just months after work started on the £73million Marine Lake Events Centre also in Southport, which will have a theatre and exhibition centre.

Until it opens, you can visit Southport Pleasureland theme park, although the famous Southport Pier remains closed.

But the most exciting water attraction set to open in the UK is Manchester.

The £250million Therme Manchester was first announced back in 2020, with plans to open by 2025.

Inside the 28-acre resort will be swimming pools and rides, as well as indoor beaches, swim up bars and garden walks.

Wellness areas, restaurants and cafes will also be inside, with it to be the second of it’s kind following the success of Therme Bucharest in Romania.