UK Park to Host Tallest Rides in Europe

ByPasarextra

A New Era of Entertainment: Universal Studios Unveils Ambitious UK Theme Park Plans

Universal Studios has taken a significant step forward in its vision for the UK’s first-ever Universal theme park by releasing detailed planning documents. These documents reveal an ambitious project that promises to redefine entertainment in the region, with attractions designed to compete on a global scale.

The proposed theme park, located in Bedfordshire, will feature a range of rides and experiences inspired by some of the most iconic Universal franchises, including Jurassic Park, Minions, and Jaws. Among the highlights is a rollercoaster that would stand at 377 feet (115 metres), making it the tallest in Europe. This height surpasses the current tallest ride in the UK, Hyperia at Thorpe Park, which stands at 236 feet (72 metres), as well as Red Force at PortAventura World in Spain, which is 367 feet (112 metres) tall.

According to the submitted documents, the decision to build structures of this height is aimed at ensuring the park can compete with other European attractions. While the Universal Orlando Resort does not currently have rides of this scale, taller attractions are more common in Europe due to space constraints. By building higher rather than wider, the park aims to make optimal use of available land, aligning with planning policies.

To fast-track the approval process, Universal is seeking permission through a Special Development Order (SDO). This allows the government to approve the project directly, bypassing local planning authorities. The consultation period for the project is open until August 31, after which the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will review public feedback before making a final decision.

Once approved, the park is expected to attract 8.5 million visitors annually, with peak days seeing up to 55,000 guests. Access to the park will be facilitated through a grand tree-lined boulevard for drivers and a dedicated transport hub for public transport users. Visitors will enter through a large entry plaza, open to both ticket-holders and non-ticket-holders, featuring restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Inside the park, guests will explore four main zones:

  • Core Zone: The central heart of the park, potentially housing a theme park, water park, and amusement park.
  • Lake Zone: Featuring a new wetland habitat, business hotels with 2,000 rooms, and supporting entertainment infrastructure.
  • East Gateway Zone: A key access point for visitors arriving by train, located near the future Wixams Rail Station.
  • West Gateway Zone: Home to a 200-room hotel, petrol station, restaurants, and additional entertainment spaces.

Beyond traditional rides, the park also plans to include music and dance venues, nightclubs, tattoo parlours, and event spaces for shows, parades, and displays. To accommodate all visitors, the site will have over 7,100 parking spaces, 100 coach bays, and 250 cycle spaces.

Infrastructure upgrades will include a new junction on the A421, a dual carriageway access road, and improvements to the Wixams Rail Station, with shuttle services connecting to the Thameslink line. Inclusivity is a core focus, with all pathways designed to be wheelchair accessible, featuring smooth surfaces, ramps, lifts, and accessible accommodation and toilets. Each ride will also include seating options for guests with mobility impairments.

Environmental and community impact are also priorities. The park plans to improve local roads, create wetland habitats, and generate job opportunities for communities in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes. It anticipates employing 8,500 staff by opening day, with numbers rising to 10,000 by 2051, with 80 per cent expected to come from the local area.

If approved, construction is set to begin in 2026, with an anticipated opening date in 2031. On-site amenities will include a minimum of 500 hotel rooms, with future expansion potential, and easy transport links to London and Luton airports.

Universal promises a world-class experience, stating: “Guests will experience blockbuster attractions, adrenaline-pumping coasters, and mind-blowing spectaculars. They’ll come face-to-face with incredible creatures, heroes, and villains. They’ll discover great food, new laughs, new ways to play, and step into immersive worlds they’ve only ever dreamed of.”