Last updated: 7 November 2026
For years and years, we UK theme park fans have dreamed about getting a Universal theme park on this side of the Atlantic. And now, it’s actually happening! Universal is bringing its first European theme park and resort to Bedfordshire, and construction preparations are already underway, with a planned opening in 2031.
The official name for the park is Universal United Kingdom Resort (not the most inventive, but it does what it says on the tin). What we know about the project so far is limited, but we do know it’s set to bring several themed lands, along with a 500-room hotel and a whole host of shops, restaurants, and entertainment to the UK.
We’re first writing this article in November 2026, and so far, a lot has already happened. We’ll be updating this post whenever a new announcement is made, so no matter when you’re reading it, it should always be current. Bookmark it if you want to keep up with the latest developments!
Quick Facts About Universal United Kingdom Resort
- Official name: Universal United Kingdom Resort.
- Location: Bedford, Bedfordshire, around 45 minutes from London.
- Opening target: 2031.
- What to expect: A theme park with themed lands, a 500-room hotel, and retail, dining, and entertainment facilities.
- Current status: Planning permission has been granted and initial enabling works are happening.
- Investment: Comcast NBCUniversal has committed more than £5 billion to the project, with a further £1.3 billion in government infrastructure investment.
Where Is Universal UK Going to Be Built?
If you’re in the UK or anywhere in Europe, we think the first thing you’ll want to know is where Universal United Kingdom Resort will be located. It’s being built in Bedford, Bedfordshire, on a 540-acre site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks.
This location is around 45 minutes from London, and, for a bit of nerdy context, it’s around 40 miles from the Warner Brothers Studio Tour (for any Harry Potter fans out there who might want to fit both into one weekend).
If you’re looking for the more geographical answer, the site is south of Bedford, near the villages of Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick. It’s also within reach of the A421, which is probably how many of us will get to the resort.
Universal chose the location after more than two years of research and planning and with more than 500 acres, there’s plenty of room for the theme park itself, as well as the hotel and (dare we think this far ahead?) future expansions.
You can find more information about the location and development on the official Universal UK Project website. The site is a bit sparse right now, but it’s definitely going to get busier as we approach 2031.
What Is Universal United Kingdom Resort Going to Include?
Anyone who’s been lucky enough to travel to Universal’s other park locations will be dying to know which lands and attractions might also be used in Universal UK.
So far, what we know is pretty limited, so there’s plenty of speculation without much confirmed by the Universal team themselves. We do know that the UK development will be a full theme park and resort destination, which means we can stay at an official Universal on-site hotel when we visit the park.
The current plans include:
- A major theme park
- A 500-room hotel
- Retail
- Dining
- Entertainment
Yep, it really is that vague so far.
Universal Creative, the company’s team responsible for designing and developing its theme parks and attractions, will be involved in bringing the project to life.
There have been plenty of rumours: way back in April 2025, the BBC listed Minions, Paddington, Jurassic World, Back to the Future, Lord of the Rings, and a James Bond stunt show, and we’ve also heard that Harry Potter is likely coming to the UK, thanks to a leaked project listing on a construction contractor’s website. But before we all get too excited, Universal hasn’t yet revealed the individual themed lands or experiences planned for the resort.
That means we don’t have an official attraction list just yet, but one thing we do know is that this is intended to be a major destination in its own right.
When Will Universal UK Open?
The current target opening year for Universal United Kingdom Resort is 2031. The UK Government confirmed this in its announcement on 3 June 2026, when Universal and Comcast NBCUniversal formally confirmed their investment agreement.
The project is expected to involve around five years of construction, and there isn’t an officially confirmed opening date or month at the moment.
Five years seems like an incredibly long time to wait (don’t scare yourself by working out how old you’ll be in 2031 like we did), but, as we can appreciate, major theme park developments involve a huge amount of work.
The good news is that things will get more and more exciting with every year of waiting that goes by, but we’re all going to need a bit of patience. For now, 2031 is the year we’re working towards!
Universal UK: The Story So Far
Here’s how Universal’s UK adventure has unfolded so far!
Universal Acquires the Bedfordshire Site
Comcast NBCUniversal acquired the former brickworks site in Bedfordshire, securing the 540-acre location for its proposed UK theme park. The first major step towards bringing Universal to the UK!
Agreement in Principle Announced
The UK Government announced an agreement in principle with Comcast NBCUniversal over the proposed development.
Planning Permission Granted
The Government granted planning permission through a Special Development Order on 15 December 2025. The order came into force on 12 January 2026.
Official Name and Logo Revealed
Universal and the UK Government officially unveiled the name Universal United Kingdom Resort and its new logo on 3 June. The announcement confirmed more than £5 billion in investment from Comcast NBCUniversal, with £1.3 billion of Government infrastructure investment.
On-Site Works Underway
The first enabling works were confirmed at the Bedfordshire site. Early preparations began to get the land ready for the much bigger construction programme ahead.
First Working with Universal Events
More than 900 local and regional businesses attended Universal’s events on 15 and 17 September. Businesses were invited to learn about opportunities to work with Universal as the resort develops.
Ground Preparation Continues
Earthmoving, soil stabilisation, ground surveys, and construction access preparations continued across the site. Work also progressed on the wider transport plans, including the proposed Wixams railway station.
November 2026
More Activity on Site
Earthmoving machinery, further ground stabilisation, and preparations around Manor Road have been documented by independent construction reporters. Archaeological investigations have also taken place. We’re still in the early stages of construction, but things are already moving fast!
Has Construction Started at Universal UK?
Yes, construction is already underway at Universal UK! Although we’re a long way away from seeing anything tangible, and it’s still very much in the “several soily fields” state right now. The land is being prepped and the necessary foundations are going in place for the main development.
We’re all desperate to see those first roller coaster tracks or recognisable themed buildings, but we’re not quite there yet! That said, the latest site reports are worth keeping an eye on if you enjoy following the development from the ground up. Project Universal UK on YouTube is a really great resource for regular drone footage and updates of the construction site.
What Attractions Will Be at Universal UK?
This is the question we want answered the most, but we’ll just have to be patient, because Universal hasn’t officially announced any attractions for its UK resort just yet.
We know there will be several themed lands, and since Universal owns and works with some huge entertainment brands, we could easily see attractions based on Jurassic World, Minions, Harry Potter, Nintendo, or some of Universal’s other famous film and television properties.
We’d also bet that there will be some UK-specific attractions that can’t be found in any of the other Universal locations around the world. We’ll be keeping an eye on Universal’s ride announcements and sharing any news as soon as we get it.
How Much Is Universal UK Costing?
Unsurprisingly, Universal United Kingdom Resort is the kind of expensive that we can’t even comprehend, with Comcast NBCUniversal committing more than £5 billion towards developing the resort.
The company has also committed a further £1 billion in capital investment during the first ten years of operation, and the UK Government is providing a separate £1.3 billion investment to support local and regional infrastructure improvements.
Those figures probably don’t mean much to me and you, but they do give us an idea of the scale of the project.
How Many Jobs Will Universal UK Create?
According to the UK Government’s June 2026 announcement, Universal UK is set to create around 20,000 jobs during the construction period and around 8,000 direct jobs when the resort first opens. Universal also expects around 80% of its employees to come from Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.
Getting the opportunity to work at a Universal theme park in the UK is a massive deal. We know that Disney World and Universal in Orlando do offer limited opportunities for Brits to work abroad, but they’re highly competitive and don’t offer the potential for permanent employment. We think Universal’s employment opportunities will be highly appealing for anyone who loves to make a difference within a company that takes customer service to the next level.
How Will We Get to Universal UK?
You’ll be relieved to know that transport is a big part of the Universal UK project, and we’ve already learned of a number of improvements that are planned to help visitors reach the resort.
Some of the plans include:
- Improvements to the A421, which will include direct slip roads to improve access to the resort, as well as other local road improvements.
- An upgrade to the existing rail network, including an expanded Wixams railway station with four platforms.
It’s the less exciting side of a project like this, but it’s worth knowing that Universal is putting plans in place to make it easy to get to and from the resort without clogging up the existing roads and train lines.
Is Universal UK the Same as Universal Studios?
Somewhat confusingly, Universal UK isn’t quite the same as Universal Studios. The official name is Universal United Kingdom Resort. It’s part of Universal Destinations & Experiences, the division of Comcast NBCUniversal responsible for its theme parks and resort destinations.
You’re likely well aware of the fact that Universal already operates major theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan and Beijing, alongside other attractions and experiences. The Bedfordshire development will be the company’s first major theme park and resort destination in Europe.
So, while you might hear people calling it Universal Studios UK, the official name is Universal United Kingdom Resort.
Frequently Asked Questions About Universal UK
Q: Is Universal really coming to the UK?
Yes! Universal Destinations & Experiences has formally confirmed its plans to build Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire. The project has planning permission and on-site enabling works are already underway, so it really is happening.
Q: Where will Universal Studios UK be located?
The Universal UK resort is being built on the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site in Bedford, Bedfordshire, south of the town.
Q: When will Universal UK open?
The current target opening year for Universal UK is 2031, but an exact opening date hasn’t yet been announced. We’re in it for the long haul here!
Q: What will Universal UK be called?
Its official name for the new Universal UK park and hotel complex is Universal United Kingdom Resort. Universal revealed the name and logo on 3 June 2026.
Q: Will Universal UK have Harry Potter?
There’s been a fair bit of speculation about which Universal franchises might feature at the UK resort, including Harry Potter. It seems possible that the resort will have something Harry Potter-related, as an internal contractor listing from PCL Construction (referenced as “Project 1307 Universal UK Resort Wizarding World of Harry Potter”) leaked online and was since deleted, but this hasn’t been officially confirmed as part of the attraction line-up.
Q: Will Universal UK have a hotel?
Yes! Universal has confirmed that the UK resort will include a 500-room hotel, although there are no further details to discuss just yet.
Q: How many themed lands will Universal UK have?
Universal has confirmed that the theme park will feature several themed lands, but it hasn’t announced the number or their individual themes yet. What land would you most like to see Universal bring to the UK?
Q: How far is Universal UK from London?
Universal says the Bedfordshire site where its UK park is located is around 45 minutes outside London. How long it actually takes to travel from London will likely depend on your starting point and mode of transport, and we’d guess that the 45-minute estimate assumes you’d catch the train.
We’ll keep this article updated as Universal UK news breaks!
There’s still a long wait until 2031, but the fact that work is underway makes this one of the most exciting developments for UK theme park fans in years.
In case you hadn’t clocked, we’re massive theme park fans, and we love to write about the new Universal UK project, so let us know if you’d like us to cover anything specific. In the meantime, check out our website to see what else is new!
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