The prime minister has promised Universal’s new theme park in Bedfordshire will bring “joy” to the UK, but the promised rollercoasters and water rides are just one of several similar projects currently progressing across the country.
The Universal theme park is slated to open in 2031 after the government struck a deal with Comcast.
The theme park is set to be one of the largest and most advanced theme parks in Europe, with 8.5 million visitors expected in its first year.
The park promises to be one of the biggest in Europe and with Universal having the rights to several British classics, it could become a staple of the UK tourism industry.
A sketch of what Universal UK could look like. (PA)
There have already been rumours that some of the attractions could be centred around James Bond, Lord of the Rings and Paddington Bear.
But Comcast’s massive construction project is just one of several currently under way in the UK.
What other theme parks are planned for the UK?Puy du Fou, Oxfordshire
Two major theme parks are close to being approved elsewhere in the UK, but they don’t fit the usual theme of rollercoasters, log flumes and spending half your time there in a queue.
A £600m history-themed park called Puy du Fou has been approved for construction in Oxfordshire following the enormous success of a similar project in France.
Le Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in the village of Les Espesses in western France, which opened in 1978 and focuses on bringing French history to life in the form of live reenactments and shows.
The proposed look of Puy du Fou. (PA)
Le Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in western France. (PA)
It has more than two million visitors a year, and for three years running between 2019 and 2021 it was France’s fourth most popular theme park after Walt Disney Studios, Disneyland Paris and Parc Astérix.
The plan for the UK version proposes “four-period villages and 13 live shows in which visitors will be able to “immerse themselves in British history”.
The plans are currently in the consultation phase with a view to opening in 2029.
Therme Manchester
The other large attraction set to open in the UK in the near future is Therme in Manchester.
The water park and wellbeing resort will feature an indoor beach, sauna, an urban garden, a water park, mineral pools, a spa, a vertical farm, a rooftop garden, botanical gardens and restaurants.
It was due to open in 2025 but has been delayed until 2027.
Therme will open near the Trafford Centre. (PA)
The park will be close to the Trafford Centre and is expected to be the size of 19 football pitches.
It will feature a number of swimming pools, more than 18 water slides, more than 30 saunas and steam rooms and a 8,000 square metre wellbeing garden.
There will be more than 3,000 biodiverse trees on the site and an indoor beach that can be used whatever the weather and whatever the time of year.
Are there any other theme parks being considered?
Several current parks in the UK are looking to expand their sites in the coming years and there are also a few proposals which are a bit earlier in their planning process.
Merlin, the owner of Legoland, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park signed a deal with Minecraft owner Mojang at the end of 2024 to bring rides themed around the world’s most successful video game to the UK and US.
The deal will see more than £85m invested in the first two Minecraft attractions in its existing UK and US parks between 2026 and 2027.
The owner of Legoland is planning several expansions across its UK parks. (PA)
Merlin has also announced plans to bring rides themed around several other brands including Jumanji, Peppa Pig and Duplo.
There has also been a plan for a theme park called Flamingo Land to open near Loch Lomond, north of Glasgow but it has been rejected by the local community.
Some 155,000 signed a petition opposed to the plans and local politicians led by the Scottish Greens have said it should not be approved.
The Flamingo Land resort near Malton, North Yorkshire, which offers holiday packages, a zoo and theme park rides, is something of a stalwart having opened in 1959.
Its proposed sister park in Loch Lomond would boast two hotels, a waterpark, more than 100 woodland lodges, 370 parking spaces, a monorail, shops and restaurants.
Developers Lomond Bank have launched an appeal against the rejection and still hope to see it built.