In a move that has theme park enthusiasts and movie fans buzzing, the United Kingdom is set to become home to two major new attractions that promise to reshape the country’s leisure landscape. Universal Studios Bedford, a sprawling 476-acre movie-themed park, and Puy du Fou’s £600 million history-based experience near Bicester, Oxfordshire, are both racing to open their doors in the coming years, each bringing its own unique flavor of entertainment and economic promise.
Universal Studios Bedford is arguably the more high-octane of the two, with plans that read like a blockbuster script. According to BBC and The Independent, Universal Studios has purchased a former brickworks near Bedford, aiming to transform it into a world-class theme park by 2031. The ambition is clear: draw in a staggering 8.5 million visitors annually, rivaling the likes of Thorpe Park and Alton Towers in scale, if not size.
What’s on offer? For starters, the park will feature some of the tallest rides in Europe, with heights soaring up to 377 feet. Planning documents submitted in July 2025 detail a resort designed for immersion, with story-themed lands, live entertainment, rides, storytellers, and cinemas. The infrastructure is equally impressive—over 7,000 parking spaces, 100 coach bays, and a proposed expansion of the nearby Wixams Railway Station to handle the crowds. For those wanting to linger, at least 500 hotel rooms will be available, making it more than just a day-trip destination.
The heart of Universal Studios Bedford lies in its attractions, which draw from the studio’s deep well of cinematic franchises. The BBC revealed that a James Bond stunt show—modeled after the action-packed Bourne Stuntacular in Florida—will headline the entertainment, promising fast cars, live stunts, and, naturally, explosions. Paddington Bear, another beloved British export, will have his own presence, with rides inspired by the runaway steam train chase from Paddington 2 and gentler experiences for younger visitors, echoing the Paddington Bear Experience in London.
Dinosaur lovers, rejoice: Jurassic Park will roar to life with animatronic raptors and likely a water-based ride, a nod to the franchise’s enduring popularity. Indoor attractions themed around Lord of the Rings are also planned, offering the chance to journey into Middle-earth—perhaps even the Mines of Moria or the fiery depths of Mount Doom. This marks a rare opportunity, as theme park rights to Tolkien’s universe have been elusive, leaving a blank canvas for creative designers.
No Universal park would be complete without the Minions, those mischievous yellow icons from Despicable Me. Expect them everywhere—from rollercoasters to immersive experiences and, of course, endless merchandise. The nostalgia continues with a Back to the Future rollercoaster, one of the few outdoor rides, which could see guests racing through Hill Valley in Delorean-style cars and perhaps even encountering Doc Brown atop a clock tower.
Seasonal events are also on the agenda. Universal Studios Bedford will host annual Halloween Horror Nights for a whopping 60 days each year, extending park hours and featuring haunted houses inspired by classic horror franchises. Firework displays and celebrations for Lunar New Year, Bonfire Night, Diwali, and New Year’s Eve will keep the calendar packed with special events.
Yet, not every iconic franchise will make an appearance. As the BBC reported, Harry Potter attractions are off the table for now, with Warner Bros. holding the UK rights and operating a lucrative studio tour just 45 minutes away in Leavesden. “Warner Bros has the UK rights to Harry Potter attractions. They tried to find a way round it but couldn't. That could change in years to come, though,” a source told the BBC. For now, Universal will have to make do with its already impressive stable of intellectual properties.
The economic impact is set to be massive. Universal estimates the creation of 8,050 jobs in its first full year, with 81 percent expected to go to residents of Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. Construction will support another 5,380 jobs at its peak, with the park supporting local businesses through increased demand for hotels, restaurants, and services. The park’s design emphasizes “highly immersive storytelling and theming,” with lands that blend landscape, architecture, and narrative to transport guests into the worlds of their favorite films.
Not to be outdone, Puy du Fou has submitted plans for its own ambitious park just outside Bicester, Oxfordshire. With a £600 million investment, the French company—known for its successful history-themed parks in France and Spain—aims to open in phases beginning in 2029. The Oxfordshire park will feature four period villages, 13 live shows dramatizing British history, and three hotels, each themed to a different era. Visitors can expect a wooded park with landscaped gardens, restaurants, and a conference center, creating an all-encompassing historical experience.
Olivier Strebelle, CEO of Puy du Fou, emphasized the thoughtful planning behind the project. “We have only submitted these plans after an extensive consultation, which took over a year and included six in-person events and over 250 individual meetings, all of which have helped to shape our final proposals. We did not rush our consultation because we wanted to get our proposals right. We have wanted to come to the UK for many years. Britain has such a rich, colourful and exciting history, and the site we have chosen near Bicester is the ideal location to create a world-class destination that will bring that history to life,” he told the BBC.
The park expects to draw 1.47 million visitors annually once completed, employing about 2,000 people directly and supporting another 6,000 jobs in the local area. Puy du Fou also touts its environmental credentials, with plans to plant over 5 kilometers of new hedgerows, 40 acres of wildflower meadows, and 20,000 new trees—creating Cherwell’s first new 50-acre forest in generations. “The attraction would have the environment and sustainability at its heart,” Strebelle said.
Both parks, while very different in theme and approach, reflect a growing appetite for immersive, experience-driven attractions in the UK. Universal Studios Bedford leans into the magic of Hollywood and pop culture, promising adrenaline and spectacle, while Puy du Fou offers a journey through Britain’s storied past, blending education and entertainment in a uniquely theatrical way.
As opening dates approach—2031 for Universal Studios Bedford and 2029 for the first phase of Puy du Fou—anticipation is building. With their combined draw, these parks are poised not only to entertain millions but also to inject billions into the UK economy and create thousands of jobs. For fans of film, history, and adventure, the next chapter in British theme parks is shaping up to be an unforgettable ride.
