Plans unveiled for £30m transformation of country estate

The £30m transformation of a historic Ribble Valley country estate into a luxury members club and wellness retreat has been unveiled by its owners.

Plans are being drawn up to turn Gisburne Park, a Grade I-listed Georgian mansion and estate near Clitheroe, into a destination with California-inspired health spa, fitness and lifestyle provision.

Award-winning architect Alison Brooks’ London-base practice has been commissioned to spearhead the project, which also includes an on-site art gallery and plans for a programme of cultural events.

The Gisburne Park estate includes a Grade-I listed Georgian mansion sitting in 1,000 acres of the Ribble Valley. It is the family home of Guy Hindley, artist and grandson of BHS founder Harold Hindley. He inherited the estate in 2003.

Since taking it over, he and his wife Amber Hindley have set up Ribblesdale Park, a successful holiday village, restaurant, wedding venue and glampsite in the park.

Their vision for a “world-class destination” encompasses hotel rooms and suites, a holistic spa with wide ranging sports and fitness facilities, an art gallery featuring work from local artists, and dining and social spaces, as well as boutique hotel bedrooms and suites.

It has been inspired by the American country-club model and UK country-house-hotel success stories.

Key to the Hindleys’ project is the restoration of the mansion and its grounds. There are ambitions to redevelop the gardens and wider landscape – including restoring a former lake for wild swimming.

They have commissioned Alison Brooks to revitalise the historic building, introducing contemporary hotel, dining and gallery spaces.

She is joining forces with renowned landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan to sensitively enhance Gisburne’s park and woodland setting, transforming the former hunting estate into a ‘one-of-a-kind destination, rooted in wellness, art and landscape’.

Guy Hindley said: “Gisburne Park has evolved over hundreds of years, shaped carefully over time, and it demands an architect with a genuine sensitivity to its history, landscape and character.

“We believe Alison has the ability to create something that sits in harmony with what already exists – enhancing and enriching the estate rather than overwhelming it.”

Alison Brooks said: “Gisburne Park Hall is perched on the edge of a sublime cliff above a river valley, with a fascinating history, spectacular views and extraordinary Baroque rooms.

“Restoring the Hall to its former glory is our starting point and inspiration for a fully contemporary country-hotel experience, including new health spa pavilions, guest accommodation and convening spaces.

“I’m thrilled to work with Guy and Amber Hindley who are both deeply committed not only to the health and wellbeing of their guests but also to the house and its landscapes.”

With concept development scheduled to begin, it is anticipated that planning applications will be submitted in November, with a view to project completion in 2028.