splash

A BRAND new indoor water park is set to come to the UK – complete with a sauna, slides and a splash zone.

The venue will replace the Waterfront Leisure Centre in Woolwich which has been a pillar of the community since it was erected in 1988.

The latter has seen better days, with some locals alleging black mould has been seen while some water slides have been closed to the public indefinitely.

However, residents will be happy to hear that a fresh alternative will soon be available to visit.

Woolwich Waves, situated opposite General Gordon Square, will boast two pools, slides, a two-floor gym, sports halls, squash courts, soft play and a sauna and will wave in punters next month.

The leisure centre has costed a whopping £115million to build.

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As for the future of the crumbling Waterfront Leisure Centre, a decision is expected to be made on November 19 during a penned council meeting.

Berkeley Homes, which already built flats on water park’s old car park, has been earmarked to inhabit the space after the centre has been razed to the ground.

Greenwich Councillor Majid Rahman, Cabinet Member for Planning, Estate Renewal and Development, said: “The regeneration of Woolwich remains a key priority for the council and Woolwich Waves sits at the heart of that.

Cllr Rahman added: “The closure of the existing Waterfront Leisure Centre has always been part of the long-term plan of the delivery of Woolwich Waves.

“Subject to approval by Cabinet, it is recommended that the old Waterfront Leisure Centre building is demolished, when it becomes vacant, to avoid anti-social behaviour and associated security costs – challenges that come with a building sitting vacant. 

“Then steps would be taken to repurpose the site for future sale that would be subject to a transparent and competitive process, ensuring best value for the borough. 

“The repurposing of the Waterfront site would pave the way for more much-needed housing and contribute to the council’s and the Mayor of London’s affordable housing targets.”

Earlier this year, two popular public leisure centres in the UK suddenly closed down.

The City of Lincolnshire Council confirmed that their Yarborough and Birchwood leisure centres would close effective immediately on Wednesday night.

The Yarborough Leisure Centre provided a gym, swimming pool, running track and studios for classes, while the Birchwood facility included a gym, spin studio and 3G pitches.

Active Nation’s statement referenced “the ongoing utility crisis and challenges it has created” as the reason for the sudden closures.

It claims to have tried to find another company to take over the services whilst working with the council, but to no success.

A Yarborough Leisure Centre instructor, Carla, told the BBC: “We didn’t know anything about it, the place was buzzing and it was busy but then we got the news”, after just having taught a class in the morning.

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A number of staff expressed their concerns employment, and cited the tough trading conditions they worked through to try keep the venues running.

Customers of the leisure centres, Mauva Jessel, Nina Hill and Elise Rothwell, have also shared with the BBC they are worried about the fees already paid to be made members.

A sleek, modern hostel has opened, offering affordable rooms with unlimited access to its on-site spa and a kid-friendly water park. Is this the way to enjoy a spa break without breaking the bank?

Think of spa breaks and you will likely picture country hotels, plush white robes, and copious amounts of Champagne. It’s safe to say, they’re not exactly associated with travelling on a budget.

But a hostel in the popular European city break destination of Tallinn in Estonia now offers a way to enjoy a spa break for less than the price of a cheap hotel room. From just £70 a night for two adults sharing a double or twin, guests enjoy unlimited access to the on-site spa and saunas, which are open seven days a week from 11am until 10.30 PM. The rate even includes a light breakfast in the café.

The Ring SPA Hostel is about as far away from the average hostel experience as you can get. There are no rickety beds or random roommates turning up in the middle of the night. Guests can book a private room for one or two people with a private bathroom, or they can opt for a quadruple room, which offers excellent value for money if four of you are travelling together.

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Rooms are basic, with neutral décor, a TV, and modern bathrooms. One reviewer said: “We booked a double room for one night. The price/quality ratio was excellent. The room was spacious, clean, and everything was new. Towels and linens were provided. There was a kettle and a mini fridge. The bathroom had a great shower.”

And there’s no need to worry that the spa will be cheap or basic. The pool features hydromassage options, and you’ll also find jacuzzis to ease tired muscles. Hostel guests can also enjoy a choice of ten modern saunas of varying temperatures, and there’s a kids’ area with a splash park for those who are bringing the whole family along.

The spa also offers a range of massages, including sports massage and treatments with hot stones, which can be booked for an additional fee. A classic 40-minute massage costs €48 (about £42.46).

Chelsea, who is well-known on TikTok as @cheapholidayexpert, recently visited the spa and shared her experience. Checking into her room, she was surprised at how nice it was for the price, quipping, “This is not a hostel!” She noted that the room included features like a kettle and fridge, which aren’t typically found in budget rooms.

Heading to the spa area, she said: “So the spa is made up of one big pool which has fountains, a hydro massage bed, and this circular rapid style area which I had far too much fun in. There’s also this warm pool which is like a big bath and a couple of jacuzzies plus lots of space to sit out and chill.”

After enjoying the water, Chelsea also tried the on-site café, reporting that a beer had set her back £3.52, while a pizza cost her £7.05, which she described as “b****y good”.

One slight downside to the hotel, as reported in some reviews, is its location, which is outside the centre of Tallinn. In her video, Chelsea said the bus had only cost her £1.74 for a single ticket, but some visitors may prefer to stay closer to the city.

A comment on her TikTok revealed more about the location: “As the creator said, around 20-25 mins [from the centre], but there’s a zoo in the neighbourhood, a decent mall and behind the mall there’s a scenic promenade by the sea that leads to one of the popular city beaches if you’re thinking of coming summer. The hotel itself is in a residential area, so there won’t be that much noise either!”

If you can tear yourself away from the spa, there’s plenty to explore in Tallinn. Famous for its gothic architecture, some popular places to visit include the Tallinn Town Hall in the medieval old town square. St. Olaf’s Church features a 124-metre spire, which is visible in the city’s skyline. During the summer, you can climb the tower and enjoy spectacular views.

There’s also Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, a colourful, Eastern Orthodox cathedral with onion domes. You can visit the amusingly named Kiek in de Kök Fortification Museum, which is probably better known for its name than its 15th-century tower. For those who are curious, Kiek in de Kök was a German nickname for towers that didn’t translate well.

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