Universal Studios Great Britain
Views: 194,793 Subscribe

Just wondering how you think this layout fits on top of the current satellite maps, I have been trying to work out how it will fit, seems they will have to fill in a lot of the water.

Even though this concept art may not be final, I think this fan interpretation is the closest to what it will end up being

https://x.com/odysseusproj/status/1910386368070459752

Not convinced that's Shrek, all of the lands are vague but that one is SO deliberately vague, it screams we aren't ready for this land to even be guessable yet. The back show building doesn't even have a facade.

The BBC are reporting their source has told them Lord of The Rings will be featured as a replacement for Potter due to WB being unwilling to licence the IP so close to their own studio tour, could this be that?

Starting at the entrance at the bottom and then going around clockwise the areas (at least for now) are likely:

Hollywood (entrance)
Paddington
Back to the Future
Jurassic World
WaterWorld
Shrek
Minion Land

It's finally official. Confirmation that the UK government and Comcast have reached a deal on the construction of Universal Great Britain resort in Bedford, England. Construction begins next year for a 2031 opening.

Take the concept art with a pinch of salt, seems deliberately vague just as Beijing and Frisco were before IP is nailed down.

Monumental news, unbelievably excited to have Universal just a 60 minute drive from me.

Multi-billion-pound investment secured as Universal theme park and resort set to be built in Bedford, bringing thousands of jobs
A multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford has been agreed between Universal, the government and the local council, in a move that represents a major vote of confidence in the UK economy and the future of partnerships between the UK and the US.

• The Prime Minister has today closed the deal on a new Universal theme park in Bedfordshire
• Plans will bring an estimated £50bn boost for the economy and create around 28,000 jobs in total across creative, hospitality and construction industries
• Set to open in 2031, the theme park will form part of a new planned entertainment resort, due to include immersive storytelling, rides, attractions and hospitality
• Deal firmly puts the UK on the global investment stage, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change, which will create growth and opportunities across the country

A multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford has been agreed between Universal, the government and the local council, in a move that represents a major vote of confidence in the UK economy and the future of partnerships between the UK and the US.

The theme park, which is set to be one of the largest and most advanced in Europe, will bring nearly 20,000 jobs during the construction period, with a further 8,000 new jobs across the hospitality and creative industries when it opens in 2031.

Supporting the government’s Plan for Change to create economic growth and opportunities by getting people into well-paid, decent jobs across the creative, technology, tourism and hospitality sectors, Universal has committed to working with local colleges and universities to train the next generation of its hospitality workforce, including through a range of apprenticeships and internships.

As well as generating significant opportunities, the new theme park and resort will bring significant local benefits – with approximately 80% of employees at the theme park expected to come from local areas – and support a stream of ongoing work to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor through growth, infrastructure revitalisation and further job opportunities.

Universal expects the site to generate nearly £50 billion for the economy by 2055, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year – becoming the largest visitor attraction in the UK. This will support the government to deliver its growth mission – creating higher living standards and putting more money in people’s pockets.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:
“Today we closed the deal on a multi-billion-pound investment that will see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the county on the global stage. This is our Plan for Change in action, combining local and national growth with creating around 28,000 new jobs across sectors such as construction, AI, and tourism. 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 development, working with Bedford Borough Council, will be the first Universal-branded theme park and resort destination in Europe and will be part of a larger 476-acre entertainment resort complex.

Proposed plans from Universal Destinations & Experiences, a business unit of Comcast, include a world-class theme park with several themed lands featuring Universal’s distinct brand of immersive storytelling, thrilling rides, innovative attractions and exciting entertainment, all utilising sophisticated and advanced technology. Initial resort plans also feature a 500-room hotel and a retail, dining and entertainment complex.

Mike Cavanagh, President of Comcast Corporation, said:
“We 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. We appreciate the leadership and support of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy and their teams, as we work together to create and deliver a fantastic new landmark destination.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves 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.”

Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, said:
“Bringing a world-class theme park and resort to the United Kingdom is a tremendous opportunity and is part of our strategy to introduce the Universal brand and experiences to new audiences around the globe. We appreciate the incredible support for our proposed project and look forward to bringing it to life in the years ahead.”

As part of the Plan for Change, the government will commit to a major investment in infrastructure around the site to support the delivery of the project and ensure it is well connected and easily accessible. It comes just days after the government signed-off the expansion of Luton Airport, showcasing how the government’s pro-growth agenda is delivering real-life benefits for working people.

The deal supports the UK’s world leading creative industries, a growth-driving sector identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which will be published this spring. The Strategy will drive investment into high growth sectors, unlocking jobs and growth right across the country.

Universal Destinations & Experiences has a proven track record of building and operating major theme parks and resorts across the globe. A Universal development in the UK will join the company’s existing portfolio of destinations across the United States and Asia-Pacific.

The proposals remain subject to a planning decision from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

https://universalukproject.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/UKG-Press-Release-Universal-theme-park-and-resort-set-to-be-built-in-Bedford.pdf

We are in touching distance of a green light for this Universal Studios project in the UK.

Things do seem to be moving on the site now, we expect a green light in the next month or so.

A digger has been on site the past few days clearing the wasteland of growth. It's the right time of year to do this but its been left untouched for the best part of 20 years so could this signal a beginning of the construction phase?

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-01-20/uk-poised-to-back-heathrow-airport-expansion-in-push-for-growth?srnd=undefined&leadSource=uverify%20wall

With the UK economy flat-lining, the chancellor said last week that the government needs to go “further, faster in driving economic growth,” which Starmer has described as his government’s core mission. Ministers are relying on loosening red tape, fast-tracking planning decisions and ramping up housebuilding to achieve that aim, and Reeves is set to deliver a speech on growth before the end of the month.

Other projects poised to be signed off after being delayed are the Lower Thames Crossing, a road tunnel beneath London’s Thames River, and a Universal Studios theme park north of the capital, the people said.

Universal UK is gearing up to be approved by UK government.

No detailed update today but the local MP did bring it up in parliament and it seems that discussions between Universal and the UK government are going well.

There is a 33 second clip should you wish to view it.