Universal UK Theme Park Officially Announced (DETAILS)

If all goes according to plan, it won’t be too long before Europeans can skip the step of hopping across the pond to experience the sights and thrills of a Universal theme park. With a projected 2026 construction start date and pending local UK approvals, Universal Destinations & Experiences plans to build its first-ever theme park in the historic British town of Bedford — only a quick car trip (or maybe a speedy Harry Potter broom ride!) north of London. 

A unit of Comcast NBC Universal, Universal Destinations & Experiences has just unveiled an early peek at plans for Europe’s first Universal-branded park. Alongside Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood in the Unites States, as well as Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, and Universal Beijing Resort in Asia, the new European park would become the sixth Universal-branded theme park location across the world. 

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What to know about the planned new Universal theme park in Bedford, UK

Early details on the Bedford park are still slight (it doesn’t even have an official name yet!), but what we do know so far sounds plenty exciting. Here’s a quick preview of what to expect, straight from Universal Destinations & Experiences: 

“The proposed plans include an entertainment resort complex with a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct brand of immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment. Initial resort plans also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex. It will be the first Universal-branded theme park in the UK and Europe.”

The project is still in the planning and approval stage, but is expected (via Variety) to occupy a 476-acre site south of Bedford with a targeted opening date sometime in 2031. It’s still “too early in the process to know the possibilities of featured attractions and experiences,” Universal Destination s & Experiences states, while promising that additional “details about the project will be revealed over time and are subject to the necessary planning consent approvals.”

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Locating its next major global theme park just outside of Bedford comes with plenty of perks for future guests, says Universal, describing the new location as an “ideal” spot with “convenient, fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport” — not to mention the site’s overall easy travel accessibility “from all parts of the UK and Europe.” 

The announcement comes just as Universal sets its sights on the hugely anticipated opening date for Universal Epic Universe — the newest 750-acre park addition to Universal Orlando. 

Replete with five all-new themed areas including Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park, Universal Epic Universe is slated to officially open for guests on May 22. Grab your tickets now!