Norfolk hoteliers invest £2.5m into creating spa and wellness retreat

A new destination spa is set to open in the UK’s coastal county of Norfolk next year, following a £2.5 million (US$3.3 million, €3million) investment.

Ffolkespa will open in Hillington at Ffolkes – a restored 300-year-old coaching inn featuring a 23-key boutique hotel, dining outlets, a 200-person event space and family-friendly amenities.

The spa will feature an array of facilities, including three distinct saunas (herbal, salt and Aufguss), two steamrooms, a hot tub garden with five hot tubs, two pools, an ice room and a foot spa. Additionally, four treatment rooms will be available at launch, with space to add four more in the future.

Guests will also have access snooze pods, cabanas and deep relaxation spaces.

Enhancing the experience further, 12 of Ffolkes' hotel rooms will offer direct access to the spa, complementing the newly-opened Spa Cabins, which feature private hot tubs and sauna facilities.

Ffolkes has been under the ownership of local hoteliers Iain and Clair Wilson for the past eight years. The couple has ambitious plans for Ffolkespa, aiming to make it “the biggest and best-equipped spa in all of Norfolk.”

“We’re thrilled to bring this exciting new offering to Ffolkes and the Norfolk community,” said Iain Wilson.

“Having run a successful spa offering at The Pigs, Edgefield, since 2017, this investment demonstrates our commitment to providing top-tier spa experiences for our guests, supporting local employment and servicing a growing demand for wellness experiences, especially in the East Anglia region.”

Ffolkespa’s opening is slated for late Q2 or early Q3 of 2025.

Spa consultancy Spa Creators is collaborating on the project, with founder Alistair Johnson, saying: "We've partnered with a leading hospitality operator to design and develop this unique spa concept.

“The facility will blend modular and traditional buildings, creating a one-of-a-kind experience. We look forward to sharing more updates in the coming months as the project progresses.”