The highly anticipated Great Wolf Lodge in Bicester is rapidly taking shape, although it will not meet the originally scheduled completion date of late 2024.
Great Wolf Resorts, renowned for its expansive indoor water parks and family-friendly accommodation, announced its European debut with the upcoming Great Wolf Lodge in Bicester in 2019, and the proposal was accepted by planning inspectors at Cherwell District Council in 2021.
This development marked a significant milestone as the brand’s first venture outside North America, promising to bring a unique leisure experience to the UK.
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It’s also an exciting addition to the UK leisure scene and promises to bring an expansive indoor water park, themed hotel accommodations, and a host of family-friendly attractions to Oxfordshire.
As 2024 draws to a close, here’s an update on the progress of this exciting resort and what we can expect once it opens its doors.
Location and development
The new resort is being constructed in Chesterton, a village on the outskirts of Bicester. The 45-acre site was acquired from the adjacent Bicester Hotel Golf & Spa, which remains operational as a separate entity. To accommodate the resort, the golf course was reconfigured from 18 to 9 holes, with the redesign completed in October 2022.
Features and attractions
The Great Wolf Lodge Bicester is set to feature a 500-room hotel offering themed accommodations suitable for families. The centrepiece will be an expansive indoor water park, complete with twisty slides, various pools, and a four-storey slide, providing entertainment for all ages. Additional amenities are expected to include a bowling alley, miniature golf courses, and a range of dining options.
Economic impact
This £200 million investment is anticipated to create approximately 600 jobs, significantly boosting the local economy. The resort aims to become a major UK visitor destination, attracting families from across the country and beyond.
Construction progress
Construction commenced in 2022, with initial groundwork focusing on reconfiguring the golf course and driving range ahead of the construction of the resort.
This was followed by infrastructure improvements, including roadworks to enhance access to the site and the construction of new footpaths, cycle routes and several other upgrades.
In August 2023, the Kane Group secured a £30 million contract to install the resort’s electrical, mechanical, and plumbing systems, indicating significant progress in the development.
However, work on the site was temporarily paused in Summer 2024. In a progress update statement, the company said: “We are excited to be able to bring the beloved Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park resort experience to families across the UK.
“We are exploring the best way possible to bring Great Wolf Lodge to the UK, including the potential of multiple resort locations to reach a wider audience of UK families. While we undertake that process, we have temporarily paused development of the resort near Bicester.
“We shall be completing the ongoing highways and utilities works for the site in Chesterton and will continue to engage with the Parish Council and the community as we progress these works to conclusion.”
Future plans
While it is unclear how far the Bicester location has advanced, Great Wolf Resorts is also exploring additional sites in the UK. A proposed resort in Basingstoke, Hampshire, is under consideration, with plans to bring a £275 million investment and numerous job opportunities to the area.
Great Wolf Resorts has engaged with local communities throughout the development process, including offering discounted entry to local residents. The company continues to collaborate with local councils and stakeholders to ensure the resort’s integration into the community benefits all parties involved.
The Great Wolf Lodge Bicester represents a significant addition to the UK’s leisure landscape, offering a comprehensive family entertainment experience. As construction progresses, anticipation builds for the opening of this state-of-the-art resort, which promises to set new standards for family-friendly destinations in the region.
Please note: Images used are either CGI renderings or depict other Great Wolf Lodge locations.
