Universal Confirms Multi-billion Great Britain park for 2031

[Purrrrrr 18,412]

IT'S FINALLY CONFIRMED

Spoiler

Keir Starmer hails visitor attraction – set to open in 2031 – as a way to bring jobs and growth to region

Esther Addley

Wed 9 Apr 2025 00.01 BST

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First Beijing, and now Bedford: a “transformative” new British tourist magnet is coming to the home counties – just off the A421.

A former brickworks will be the site of a new multibillion-pound theme park from the entertainment behemoth Universal, the government confirmed on Wednesday.

The venture is projected to bring 8.5 million visitors near to the market town, which is 50 miles north of London.

The development will create tens of thousands of jobs and become the biggest visitor attraction in Britain.

The first Universal theme park in Europe, it will squat on a 192-hectare (476-acre) site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks, as part of a larger complex incorporating a 500-bed hotel and “a retail, dining and entertainment complex”.

Though it is “still too early” to think about planned rides and attractions at the resort, Universal has said, among the draws at its most recently opened park in Beijing are the Minions-themed Loop-Dee Doop-Dee, the Transformers Megabase Decepticoaster and an area entitled the Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness.

Universal claims the project will be “transformative for Bedford and deliver significant benefits for the UK economy”. Announcing the deal on Wednesday, the prime minister, Keir Starmer, was eager to claim credit for any potential benefits.

“This is our plan for change in action,” Starmer said, “combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism.

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The proposed location – a 192-hectare site that was formerly a brickworks. Photograph: Universal Destinations & Experiences/PA

“It is not just about numbers; it’s about securing real opportunities for people in our country. Together, we are building a brighter future for the UK, getting people into work and ensuring our economy remains strong and competitive.”

The project, the government says, will bring a £50bn boost to Britain’s economy and create 20,000 jobs in construction, with a further 8,000 operational roles once it is up and running, forecast for 2031.

The enormous project does not yet have planning permission and will be a test of the government’s promise to speed up major construction projects by reducing the scope for legal challenges. It has been strongly backed by local government leaders, however.

Questioned by Bedford MP Mohammad Yasin last month, Starmer agreed that it was “vital that we do unleash the potential of … Bedford, by generating growth, jobs, and opportunities”.

As part of the announcement the government said it will make “a major investment in infrastructure around the site” to ensure it is easily accessible.

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Early discussion of the project – which has been under negotiation for more than a year – made much of Bedford’s relative proximity to London.

Earlier this week, the transport secretary approved plans for a major expansion of nearby Luton airport – overruling planning inspectors who had recommended blocking the scheme on environmental grounds – which will see annual passenger numbers almost double to 32 million by 2043.

As well as Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, its flagship theme park in Orlando, Florida, and its 2021 venture in Beijing, Universal also runs resorts in Japan and Singapore.

The company, rebranded Universal Destinations and Experiences in 2023, is owned by the US telecoms group Comcast, which is also the parent company of Sky.

Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, said he “could not be more excited to take this very important step in our plan to create and deliver an incredible Universal theme park and resort in the heart of the United Kingdom, which complements our growing US-based parks business by expanding our global footprint to Europe”.

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor said: “At a time of global change, this investment is a vote of confidence in Britain as a place to do business.

“Universal’s investment will bring billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs to the UK, putting more money in people’s pockets.”

https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/apr/09/universal-chooses-bedford-to-be-location-of-its-first-theme-park-in-europe

 

This is SO SO exciting to finally be announced officially  

[GypsyVida 5,960]

Wow I didn't know they were planning this! And to think today at work I was thinking "I wonder if Universal would ever build a park in the UK"

 

I must be a psychic

[skaxboy 7,078]

I’ve been avoiding all of the Epic Universe videos. I plan on going later this year and wanna be surprised for Donkey Kong and Universal Monsters area. I’ve never seen any How To Train Your Dragon movies but it’d still be nice to see. 
 

The Jurassic Park ride in Beijing looks incredible. I’m sure Jurassic Park is for sure going to be in the Bedford park. 
 

That big water building looks like Waterworld. They have 3 coasters but the one that goes over the water looks really cool. Looks like they will have a hotel that will have one side in the park  

I really hope they add the long rumored Lord of the Rings area. 

[Bonkers 30,871]

CHAV-LAND!!  I can't wait.  

[LOVEDRUG 11,346]

Not a big fan of the location, just as it's a bit awkward for many Brits to get to, but it's so good to see companies actually investing in the UK, and providing exciting new attractions in the process. I remember this being discussed almost a decade ago so it's good to see it finally come to fruition.

[Jackaroo 2,859]

Bedford sounds like a dump 

[Economy 53,098]

Cool

 

I recently been seeing lots of insta reels from universal studios and i really wanna go especially nintendo world!

 

But only when the US stops being hostile to my Country cuz rn im not spending money in America

 

[Maria Brink 1,685]

Obviously they will have a Wicked / Emerald City area

[Omar Vela 2,745]

Finally Hogsmeade on its original weather

[Karl 3,584]

5 hours ago, Bonkers said:

CHAV-LAND!!  I can't wait.  

Don't think this will draw chavs that much, too expensive and usually not that thrilling in terms of rides, more dark ride experiences etc. It will also bring people from all over Europe. 

 

4 hours ago, LOVEDRUG said:

Not a big fan of the location, just as it's a bit awkward for many Brits to get to, but it's so good to see companies actually investing in the UK, and providing exciting new attractions in the process. I remember this being discussed almost a decade ago so it's good to see it finally come to fruition.

I think they worked out it's a 2 hr distance for like 70% of the UK or something, it's pretty central! Plus they are building a new train station on site to help people get there. The UK is pretty small so unless you're in Scotland it's not gonna be too bad. And it's closer than Florida 

This is such good news for the UK theme park industry, it will finally topple Merlin as the monopoly here and show British people what a real theme park should look like. Alton towers found dead in a ditch.

[River 128,698]

wish it was a warmer place, Disneyland Paris is the worst location because of the weather, too often it's raining and it can kill the whole vibe of the day at the park. so it would be the same in the UK.

 

[Ayesha Erotica 1,963]

6 hours ago, Karl said:

 

 

I think they worked out it's a 2 hr distance for like 70% of the UK or something, it's pretty central! Plus they are building a new train station on site to help people get there. The UK is pretty small so unless you're in Scotland it's not gonna be too bad. And it's closer than Florida 

 

It's a very good location within England for the English , while less ideal for continental Europeans! Half-way between London and Birmingham. All people north of London can visit it WITHOUT having to go through the annoying metro London traffic jam.

It is exactly 70km from central London and was likely chosen because of its England-centrality.

Universal Studios Japan is 5km from central Osaka and 43km from Kyoto, while Disneyland Paris is 31km from Paris. Everyone who is in Osaka can easily combine it with a USJ visit. Usually, those who visit Osaka, visit Osaka for Osaka or as a byproduct of their Kyoto visit and USJ is a bonus on their way, which would have been much less visited if its wasn't just 5km from central Osaka.

However, while Disneyland Paris is 31km from Paris, it is 31km west of in the direction closer to Central Europe and not west of it in peripheral France, while Universal Bedfore is 70km north of London and therefore in the opposite direction and further away from continental Europe. This makes it more accessible for the English in general, but less for c-Europeans.

It is just a matter of fact that when c-Europeans visit England, they visit London and often only London, and while 70km isn't far, it isn't close either. It is not your next-door sight! So, I suppose many will make a calculation:

How much time do I have to spend?

How much money will it cost me?

Does London has something else to offer to me instead?

Universal UK just won't be a bonus within London and therefore I think less popular and less visited.

Ticket prices will be high , then they have to include additional transport prices back and to Bedford from London and additional time that is wasted because of transit, that could have been spent otherwise in London.

Spoiler

Universal thinks Bedford will be a hit because of London but it might be a flop among international tourists because of London, because visitors on their trip to London might opt for within-London attraction and there are just so many of them and the competition is high.

Also, UK has British prices. Not Greek prices.

 

5 hours ago, River said:

wish it was a warmer place, Disneyland Paris is the worst location because of the weather, too often it's raining and it can kill the whole vibe of the day at the park. so it would be the same in the UK.

 

It won't be the same. There is siginificantly more rain and it is colder in Bedford than in Paris/île-de-France. Paris does not have "Southern climate" but of all the non-southern climates in Europe, it is still agreeable and imo "okay". If you think Paris is bad, well, wait, it can get worse. I come from a country where the weather is also cold, rainy and just too cold and in my vacation time I would not want to go to another country with weather equally bad or worse, but rather somewhere where it is warm. I suppose Universal UK will be a British hit among the British who have to deal with the weather anyway, for whom it is normal and pay their British prices, but a flop among international visitors.  It will have much less international visitors than Disneyland Paris in %, I suppose. While DL P is still within Paris metropolitan, Bedford is outside the outskirts of London.

Remember when Disneyland Paris was chosen, the choice was between metro Barcelona and metro Paris. Barcelona scored high in weather and tourism magnet and exoticism, while Paris scored high in Prestige, tourism and geographic position. Ultimately, French government did more  lobbying for Paris, so Paris won, while it seems that the Spanish Madrid government has a secret disdain against Barcelona because it is their competitor and Catalan, and does not support what is not Madrid.

[Karl 3,584]

3 hours ago, AyeshaErotica said:

It's a very good location within England for the English , while less ideal for continental Europeans! Half-way between London and Birmingham. All people north of London can visit it WITHOUT having to go through the annoying metro London traffic jam.

It is exactly 70km from central London and was likely chosen because of its England-centrality.

Universal Studios Japan is 5km from central Osaka and 43km from Kyoto, while Disneyland Paris is 31km from Paris. Everyone who is in Osaka can easily combine it with a USJ visit. Usually, those who visit Osaka, visit Osaka for Osaka or as a byproduct of their Kyoto visit and USJ is a bonus on their way, which would have been much less visited if its wasn't just 5km from central Osaka.

However, while Disneyland Paris is 31km from Paris, it is 31km west of in the direction closer to Central Europe and not west of it in peripheral France, while Universal Bedfore is 70km north of London and therefore in the opposite direction and further away from continental Europe. This makes it more accessible for the English in general, but less for c-Europeans.

It is just a matter of fact that when c-Europeans visit England, they visit London and often only London, and while 70km isn't far, it isn't close either. It is not your next-door sight! So, I suppose many will make a calculation:

How much time do I have to spend?

How much money will it cost me?

Does London has something else to offer to me instead?

Universal UK just won't be a bonus within London and therefore I think less popular and less visited.

Ticket prices will be high , then they have to include additional transport prices back and to Bedford from London and additional time that is wasted because of transit, that could have been spent otherwise in London.

  Hide contents

Universal thinks Bedford will be a hit because of London but it might be a flop among international tourists because of London, because visitors on their trip to London might opt for within-London attraction and there are just so many of them and the competition is high.

Also, UK has British prices. Not Greek prices.

 

It won't be the same. There is siginificantly more rain and it is colder in Bedford than in Paris/île-de-France. Paris does not have "Southern climate" but of all the non-southern climates in Europe, it is still agreeable and imo "okay". If you think Paris is bad, well, wait, it can get worse. I come from a country where the weather is also cold, rainy and just too cold and in my vacation time I would not want to go to another country with weather equally bad or worse, but rather somewhere where it is warm. I suppose Universal UK will be a British hit among the British who have to deal with the weather anyway, for whom it is normal and pay their British prices, but a flop among international visitors.  It will have much less international visitors than Disneyland Paris in %, I suppose. While DL P is still within Paris metropolitan, Bedford is outside the outskirts of London.

Remember when Disneyland Paris was chosen, the choice was between metro Barcelona and metro Paris. Barcelona scored high in weather and tourism magnet and exoticism, while Paris scored high in Prestige, tourism and geographic position. Ultimately, French government did more  lobbying for Paris, so Paris won, while it seems that the Spanish Madrid government has a secret disdain against Barcelona because it is their competitor and Catalan, and does not support what is not Madrid.

I get what you are saying about it being a little ways from London for day trippers visiting london, but it does make a change that something nice is coming to the UK that's not London centric. In terms of European travellers, if they are coming to the universal resort for a multi day holiday in the same way you would DLP or Disney World/Universal Florida, it's 40 mins from Luton airport, not that much father than DLP is from CDG. Also the second most visited park in Europe is Europa Park, which is literally in the middle of nowhere in the black forest in Germany. So if people wanna come they'll come. 

[LOVEDRUG 11,346]

12 hours ago, Karl said:

Don't think this will draw chavs that much, too expensive and usually not that thrilling in terms of rides, more dark ride experiences etc. It will also bring people from all over Europe. 

 

I think they worked out it's a 2 hr distance for like 70% of the UK or something, it's pretty central! Plus they are building a new train station on site to help people get there. The UK is pretty small so unless you're in Scotland it's not gonna be too bad. And it's closer than Florida 

This is such good news for the UK theme park industry, it will finally topple Merlin as the monopoly here and show British people what a real theme park should look like. Alton towers found dead in a ditch.

Yeah for me it'll definitely be more than two hours. I'd have to go into London and then out again and that's already two hours just to get to London. Not a huge problem but it speaks to how London-centric our transport network is.

[Karl 3,584]

21 hours ago, LOVEDRUG said:

Yeah for me it'll definitely be more than two hours. I'd have to go into London and then out again and that's already two hours just to get to London. Not a huge problem but it speaks to how London-centric our transport network is.

Yeah I guess if you don't drive it could be a long trip