Location: corner of Grovewood Road and Townsend Way, Malvern 331 feet above sea level.
Description: a twenty-first century development on a 2.5 acre site with its own natural source water.

In June 2000 a planning application was submitted and subsequently approved for a new spa development in Malvern. This comprised two linked buildings: a hotel complex and a circular 'Coliseum' style spa. The outline application was finally approved in October 2000 for an 80- room hotel and separate health spa providing between 120 and 150 new jobs. The implementation was delayed however while a "section 106" agreement was hammered out between John Williams the local entrepreneur and the Malvern Hills District Council. A £70,000.00 contribution was sought by the Council towards a network of cycle paths linking the Enigma Park where the spa is to be located with the rest of Malvern. Agreement was reached eventually in 2002 when a detailed planning application could then be pursued.[1] This project was the first major spa development in the area since the nineteenth century water cure doctors took up residence. Eight years later, and the new spa opened in summer 2008, albeit somewhat modified from the original intentions.

The spa enjoys natural source waters, the first time such a spa facility has become available in Malvern since the 19th century. Malvern Water is drawn from an on site deep borehole, drilled for the purpose when the spa was built.

The dramatic beauty of the Malvern Hills forms the backdrop to this unique hotel and spa facility. For the first time in a century a spa using the famous local Malvern source water made its appearance. The brainchild of Colwall entrepreneur John Williams, this world class Spa-Hotel-Health Club complex offers a unique experience. There are hydrotherapy pools of warm bubbling Malvern source waters; jets of air and water gently massage and stimulate you as you glide between the connecting indoor and outdoor pools. Imagine swimming out on a frosty day or the evening twilight into warm Malvern source waters from deep underground aquifers. Alternatively the herb sauna, salt grotto, crystal steam rooms sauna of senses and the ice fountain all offer memorable experiences.

The opening year proved to be difficult, coinciding with the global recession. However recent indications are that Malvern is successfully back in the spa industry, albeit the twenty-first century variety.

Illustration:
[1] The Malvern Spa, 2011.

Footnote:
[1] Malvern Gazette, Feb. 8 2002.

 

 

The map alongside is a small section of our more comprehensive map of the area. For the complete map together with a description and history of this site see "Celebrated Springs of the Malvern Hills" (2012).

 

 

Click on web site below to go to the Malvern Spa web site or top banner to go to the DISCOVERY TRAIL INDEX of springs and wells.

Celebrated Springs of 
THE MALVERN HILLS  

A definitive work that is the culmination of 20 years researching the springs and wells of the Malvern Hills, published by Phillimore. This is the ideal explorers guide enabling the reader to discover the location and often the astounding and long forgotten history of over 130 celebrated springs and wells sites around the Malvern Hills. The book is hard back with dust cover, large quarto size with lavish illustrations and extended text. Celebrated Springs contains about 200 illustrations and well researched text over a similar number of pages, together with seven area maps to guide the explorer to the locations around the Malvern Hills. It also includes details on the long history of bottling water in the Malvern Hills.

Written by Bruce Osborne and Cora Weaver, this book is available on-line for £15.00 (delivered UK) - click Malvern Bookshop on the green panel top left. Alternatively send a cheque payable to Cora Weaver with your name and address to 4 Hall Green, Malvern, Worcs. WR14 3QX.