Alton Towers’ founder plans to turn Cornwall theme park into premier European resort
Alton Towers founder John Broome has acquired Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park, along with 200 acres of adjacent farmland, with the intention of transforming it into a premier European destination, branded as Camel Creek Resort.
Plans, which are due to be submitted to Cornwall Council next month, include the addition of up to 236 holiday villas, courtyard properties, tree houses, a pool, spa, restaurant, pub and convention centre.
Although the theme park, which includes a range of family rides and animals, will be updated, there are currently no plans for any large new rides.
“Cornwall is just crying out for this kind of operation,” says Broome, who took control of Alton Towers in the 1970s before selling it to The Tussauds Group in 1990. “There will be a tropical lake, the largest in Britain, heated by a combination of biomass, wind turbines and solar panels, providing a water feature for each of the properties.”
The Down family have owned the park since 2004, which has seen an increase in visitor numbers year-on-year and was the UK's first solar-powered theme park. The sale proceeds will allow the family to invest in their other park, Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park, near Exeter.
“The sale of Cornwall’s Crealy will mean that we can concentrate our efforts and investments at our multi award winning Devon’s Crealy Great Adventure Park and its adjoining luxury caravan and camping park Crealy Meadows," said managing director, Chris Down. "We have had a good season so far this year in Devon and we are looking forward to progressing with some very exciting plans for the future.”
Under the new ownership, the current management team will stay in place. Admission to the new resort will be free to people living within a 1km radius, as well as discounted to other local people.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From Nobu Restaurants and Ian Schrager’s latest hotel to Imagination Playgrounds and the set design for The Rocky Horror Show, US architect and designer David Rockwell always keeps it fresh. He tells us the secrets of his creativity