New £50million water attraction with wave pool, hotel and skatepark to finally open in the UK
A HUGE new surfing attraction has finally been given the go-ahead in the UK.
The Seahive in Deal will be the second of its kind in England, following the success of the one in Bristol.
The £50million resort will be part of Betteshanger Country Park.
Despite a number of locals against the new attraction, the campaign against it has been dropped.
The complex’s main attraction will be the huge surf lagoon, set across 15 acres.
Both beginners and experts will be able to surf, with waves ranging from 20cm to 2 metres.
There will also be lessons and group activities able to be booked on-site, as well as a spa and gym.
Along with surfing, a skate park will allow access for bikes, scooters and skateboards.
Also on-site will be an 120-bed hotel, with luxury rooms nearby.
It is the first of its kind for Kent, although the second in the UK, following Bristol’s The Wave.
Other similar ones around the world are found in Australia, South Korea and Brazil.
An official start date for works, or an opening date, are yet to be revealed.
A Betteshanger Country Park spokesperson said: “More than 250,000 people use the park each year.
“We share a common goal with campaigners in wanting the best for Betteshanger Country Park.
“We will be seeking to work with organisations like Natural England and others with an interest in nature to create a country park that provides for everyone in the community, creates jobs and supports nature.”
A similar resort in Scotland opened earlier this month.
Lost Shore Surf Resort in Ratho, near Edinburgh, is Europe‘s largest inland surfing lagoon.
Other new water attractions set to open in the UK
Therme Manchester
The massive indoor attraction will be one of the largest of its kind in the UK, with have 25 swimming pools, 35 water slides and an indoor beach.
Modern Surf Manchester
Manchester will also be getting its own surfing lagoon, similar to Seahive.
Chessington World of Adventures
The theme park has revealed plans for its own waterpark that will ‘take on Disney’ with wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
The £60million attraction also has a huge surf pool, which is three times the size of the pitch at Wembley Station.
And we went down to try it out – here’s our verdict.