A Universal Studios Great Britain theme park is looking ever likely to be coming to fruition in a move that will shake up the theme park industry in the United Kingdom as we know it.
Rumours have been doing the rounds for months regarding the potential of a Universal Studios theme park coming to the UK.
Further evidence has been disclosed today regarding the potential of this project that have sent theme park fans into a frenzy as it looks as though this could be more than just a rumour!
First reported on Orlando Park Stop who are confidence that Universal are planning a theme park in this country after opening their latest park and resort in Beijing and are now finishing up the upcoming Epic Universe in Orlando ready to open in 2025.
England is looking likely to be the next destination for their latest theme park in a move that would give Merlin Entertainments, the UK’s leading theme park and attractions operators a few things to think about as the big boys are looking to take them on in their own backyard.
Recent documents have surfaced showing that the Comcast company has purchased land for the new park which includes properties the land is rumoured to complain and a rough 2030 opening date penned.
Universal Domain Names Purchased
Domain names have also been registered by the company including universalstudiosgreatbritain.com and universalgreatbritain.com. Both of these URL’s have been registered by NBCUniversal and uses the same registrar as other Universal park website domains.
Both domains were registered in September 2023 which is around the time that the company had acquired land in the region as public records showed that Comcast acquired a construction and development company named Cloud Wing UK Limited in 2023. They took over the company in August 2023 and as a result of the takeover have received land assets which consists of 240 acres in Bedford, England.
Drayton Manor is 280 acres in size so it gives you a rough sense of scale with 240 acres acquired. Certainly not a big theme park by any means with Universal Hollywood 415 acres in size and Universal Orlando at 541 acres in size.
If purchased and completed it would become the 4th biggest theme park (in terms of scale) in the UK with Brean Leisure Park just behind it at 200 acres in size.
But that’s not all.
Comcast have also seemingly acquired more land than just the initial Cloud Wing land. With the acquisition of this extra land that takes us to around 500 acres total.
If this is true then Universal Studios Great Britain would be the second biggest theme park in the UK with only Alton Towers (550 acres) owning more land but most of this land at Alton Towers consists of gardens and protected areas, the entire space taken up by Universal Studios GB would be entirely theme park and that is one exciting prospect!
Universal Studios Great Britain Land Purchase
The site is about 46 miles (74 kilometers) north of London and is about 30 minutes from the Harry Potter Studio Tour which is another exciting thought if indeed Universal build a Harry Potter themed land within their UK park.
We’ve been here before with The London Project where even concepts were released and it all fell apart like a house of cards but unlike that project this has a huge company behind it that are actively expanding into new territories. Funnily enough this Bedford land purchased by Comcast was one of the actual proposed locations for the failed London Resort project.
Once Epic Universe has been completed in Orlando I can imagine we’ll be seeing a lot more information on this exciting project from 2025 onwards.
Indoor rides and experiences would be perfect for a UK park as we never have the best weather and I’m sure weather would be taken into consideration when building this park.
It is also worth noting that whilst the land has been purchased the land could just as easily be put back up for sale if the ground is deemed unfit for purpose or for any other reasons surrounding planning permission and this project going ahead. So, whilst this is incredible news, it’s so early in conception that the fate of the park coming to fruition is still firmly in the balance.
Orlando Park Stop also noted that, “There is also a rumor that this new park is being designed to not open with any cloned attractions from the Universal Orlando Resort. It is assumed this consideration is being made so as to not cannibalize the company’s overseas travel market. Instead, this park may debut with new attractions not found in Orlando to attract its own visitors from other markets, as well as UK locals.”
Located south west of Bedford, England, in a place called Kempston Hardwick has close links to the M1 motorway and its own train station across the road from the land makes the concept ideal for a theme park.
We’ll hold our breath until more news comes forward about this exciting project but what a game changer this park would be for the UK.
Incredible theming, recognisable IP’s and a huge branded park in the UK for us al to enjoy.
Update – The following day (19/12/2023) after this article was published Universal themselves confirmed exclusively to Bedford Independent that the project was happening with the following statement released:
We recently acquired land in Bedford [Borough] and are at the early stages of exploring its feasibility for a potential park and resort at this site.
We support Bedford’s vision of becoming a prosperous place to live, work and visit and we take a proactive approach to partnering with local communities and stakeholders, like Bedford Borough Council, when pursuing potential projects.
It will be many months before we are ready to make a decision to proceed and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and the local community.
