Our Heritage

Mrs Dororthy Purdew OBE and Mr Stephen Purdew, her son, are the proud owners of Champneys Health Resorts.

Dorothy Rose Sanders was born on 4th March 1932 in London. During this difficult period her parents, Dick and May, worked hard and with the onset of World War II and the Blitz, Dorothy was evacuated in her early childhood. Later, after passing all her exams she left school at 14 and started a dress-making apprenticeship.

In 1957 she married Robert Purdew and went on to have two children, Stephen and George. She was later inspired to set up her own slimming club business and opened her first club on 25th June 1970 at Frimleys in Northampton. It was a great success and led to over 100 clubs opening throughout the South East. In September 1981 the family purchased Henlow Grange at a time when the face of health farms began to change. Her son Stephen stepped in to assist for a couple of weeks aged 21. He had a career in accountancy with no intention of working with his parents, but it was a move that would prove permanent.

Stephen now manages the entire group and has been pivotal in its growth, development and success. Sadly his father Robert died in 1990 but Dorothy and Stephen continue to run and develop the family business.

In 1990 they purchased Springs Health Farm in Leicestershire. As their success continued they expanded the company once again, purchasing Forest Mere in 1995 which subsequently won Spa of the Year two years running.

The stunning Hotel de la Paix in Champery, Switzerland was purchased in 1998 and to complete their spa portfolio the Purdews acquired Tring in 2002, as well as the Champneys* name, which led to the rebranding of all the resorts.

Inspired by Champneys’ premier therapists the Champneys Spa Collection was launched in 2004. Formulated using the finest quality natural ingredients and blended with the latest technical innovations, this collection includes products for bath and body, skincare, mens, manicure/pedicure, candles and room fragrances and a fabulous selection of gifts.

Continuing the success of the brand, 2008 saw the opening of seven Champneys Day Spas across the UK. Offering luxury treatment rooms and pampering therapies in a relaxed shopping environment, the Day Spas take Champneys to the high street. 2011 saw the opening of the first Champneys Day Spa in a Boots store, where the spa collection is now sold.

Mrs Dorothy Purdew, was also recognised by the Queen in the 2008 birthday honours list, with an OBE for services to the Health Spa Industry and Charity. On receiving her OBE, Mrs Purdew said, ‘It is an honour and I am proud to accept it, but it is also recognition that Champneys has led the changes over the years in the spa industry, helping to make it what it is today’.

* The Champneys name originated from Ralph de Champneys who owned the magnificent Tring mansion in 1307. It was later opened as the UK’s first ever health farm in 1925 by naturopath Stanley Lief, who pioneered the concept of holistic health and naturopathy.