Universal Studios UK 2023–2024 Timeline: How the Bedford Theme Park Project Began

The story of how Universal’s plans for a major theme park and resort near Bedford first emerged, from the acquisition of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site to the publication of the first plans and public consultation.

This Universal Studios UK 2023–2024 timeline follows the land acquisition, first public announcement, early plans and community engagement that began the Bedford theme park story.

Before the government agreement, planning documents and enormous construction activity, there was simply a large former brickworks site south of Bedford and growing speculation about what its new American owner intended to do with it.

That changed in December 2023 when Universal Destinations & Experiences publicly confirmed that it owned land near Bedford and was exploring the possibility of creating a new theme park and resort.

The project was far from certain. Universal repeatedly stressed that it was carrying out feasibility and due-diligence work and had not made a final decision to proceed.

During 2024, however, the public was given its first detailed look at the potential development. Universal revealed an early project boundary, indicative theme park areas, hotels, transport hubs and possible road and railway improvements.

Thousands of people responded to the company’s first public engagement, beginning a process that would eventually lead to government backing and planning approval during 2025.

The project is now officially known as Universal United Kingdom Resort, but throughout 2023 and 2024 it was widely referred to as Universal Studios UK, Universal UK or the Universal Bedford project.

This timeline follows the earliest public stages of what is now one of the largest new tourism developments proposed in the United Kingdom.

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Universal Studios UK 2023–2024 timeline at a glance

Date	Major milestone
2023	Universal acquires approximately 476 acres of land south of Bedford
19 December 2023	The Universal UK Project website is launched
20 December 2023	Universal writes to local residents and confirms that it is exploring a theme park and resort
5 April 2024	Universal publishes its first detailed information pack and begins public engagement
13 April 2024	First public exhibition held at Kimberley College in Stewartby
16 April 2024	Second public exhibition held at Bedford College
3 May 2024	The four-week public engagement period closes
9 May 2024	Universal publishes the initial engagement results
Rest of 2024	Feasibility work, site investigations and discussions with government and transport authorities continue

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Before Universal: The former Kempston Hardwick brickworks

The land selected by Universal has a history stretching back long before anyone imagined roller coasters and themed attractions appearing south of Bedford.

For more than a century, the area around Kempston Hardwick and Stewartby was one of the most important centres of brick production in Britain.

Clay was extracted from the Marston Vale, processed in enormous brickworks and used to produce millions of bricks for buildings across the country.

The industry shaped the development of Kempston Hardwick, Stewartby and the surrounding villages. It also left behind a distinctive landscape of former clay pits, lakes, industrial land, concrete slabs and restored landfill areas.

Universal’s early information pack acknowledged this history and said it wanted to explore how the area’s brickmaking heritage could be celebrated within the potential development. Early ideas included reusing bricks found on the site and reflecting Bedford’s history within selected buildings, attractions and food-and-drink facilities.

This timeline concentrates on the arrival of Universal. The longer industrial story is covered separately.

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2023: Universal acquires land near Bedford

During 2023, Universal Destinations & Experiences acquired an approximately 476-acre parcel of land south of Bedford.

The land included the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site and was positioned between Wixams, Stewartby, Wootton and Kempston Hardwick.

At this stage, the purchase did not mean that a theme park had been approved—or even that Universal had made a final investment decision.

The company was examining whether the site could support a major theme park and resort and carrying out the feasibility and due-diligence work needed to understand the land.

Universal later explained that the Bedford location offered several important advantages:

• A very large development site.
• Relatively flat topography.
• Proximity to the A421.
• Railway connections towards Bedford and London.
• Access to London Luton Airport.
• A location outside the Green Belt.
• Land already identified for development through Bedford’s emerging Local Plan.
• Space for a large destination resort and future expansion.

The company’s initial 476-acre purchase later formed part of an approximately 700-acre area being explored for the wider project. This included additional land that could provide a direct connection towards the A421 and other local transport routes.

Why Bedford?

Universal said the site had the size and flat terrain needed for a large theme park resort while also being well connected with London and other parts of the country.

Bedford’s position within reach of major roads, railways and airports made it possible to consider a resort aimed at local, national and international visitors.

The former industrial land also offered a very different opportunity from attempting to assemble a similarly large site in a densely developed part of southern England.

At this point, however, the project remained an investigation rather than a confirmed development.

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December 2023: Reports of a Universal theme park emerge

During December 2023, reports began circulating that Comcast Corporation had purchased land near Bedford and that the site could potentially be used for a new Universal theme park.

The story immediately generated huge interest.

Britain had never had a Universal-branded theme park, while Universal’s existing destinations in Orlando, Hollywood, Japan, Singapore and Beijing were already familiar to millions of UK visitors.

Speculation quickly began about:

• What the resort might include.
• Which films and franchises could feature.
• Whether the Bedford location was large enough.
• How visitors would reach the site.
• When construction might start.
• Whether the project would actually go ahead.

Much of that discussion was understandably based on speculation. Universal had not announced rides, themed lands, a construction programme or an opening date.

The first official communication arrived shortly afterwards.

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20 December 2023: Universal confirms it is exploring Bedford

On 20 December 2023, Universal wrote to local residents to introduce the company and explain what it was considering.

The letter confirmed that Universal owned the land and was in the very early stages of exploring a potential park and resort experience.

Universal stressed that it was only beginning its feasibility study and that it could take many months before a decision was made about whether to proceed.

The company also confirmed that it had launched the Universal UK Project website to provide future information and updates.

What Universal confirmed

By the end of December 2023, the public knew that:

• Universal owned land south of Bedford.
• The company was investigating a possible theme park and resort.
• The proposal was at an early feasibility stage.
• Universal was speaking with local and national stakeholders.
• Local communities would be consulted if the project progressed.

What Universal had not confirmed

There was still no confirmation of:

• A final decision to build the resort.
• Planning permission.
• A construction start date.
• An opening date.
• The final project boundary.
• Individual rides.
• Themed lands.
• Hotels or entertainment venues.
• The total investment.
• Detailed road or rail improvements.

This distinction is important when looking back at the early coverage.

December 2023 marked the public beginning of the Universal Bedford story—but the project was still only a possibility.

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January to March 2024: A site surrounded by questions

The opening months of 2024 were dominated by anticipation.

Universal continued its feasibility and due-diligence work while discussions took place with councils, government departments, transport organisations and other stakeholders.

For anyone visiting or filming the site, there was little visible evidence of the enormous development being considered.

The future resort remained a mixture of:

• Former industrial land.
• Concrete surfaces.
• Agricultural fields.
• Lakes and former clay pits.
• Woodland and hedgerows.
• Restored landfill.
• Existing businesses.
• Roads and railway infrastructure.

Early speculation about the resort

Interest naturally centred on which Universal attractions could eventually come to Bedford.

Online discussions mentioned franchises associated with Universal’s parks around the world, but no rides, intellectual properties or themed lands had been confirmed.

Universal maintained that it was too early to know what attractions or experiences might feature at the resort.

The real questions during early 2024 were more fundamental:

Could the site support a theme park of this size?

Could the necessary road and railway infrastructure be delivered?

Would the environmental and planning issues be overcome?

Would Universal ultimately decide to invest?

Those questions would shape the first public engagement.

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5 April 2024: Universal reveals its first Bedford plans

On 5 April 2024, Universal began a 28-day period of public engagement and published its first detailed information about the potential resort.

The company again emphasised that it had not made a final decision to proceed. The engagement formed part of its feasibility and due-diligence work and was intended to help shape the proposal.

For the first time, residents could examine:

• The approximate project boundary.
• The reasons Bedford had been selected.
• An indicative masterplan.
• Broad development zones.
• Possible theme park and hotel areas.
• Transport hubs.
• Retail, dining and entertainment areas.
• Landscape and restoration areas.
• Initial road and railway proposals.
• Possible construction arrangements.
• Environmental principles.
• Employment estimates.

You can read the April 2024 Information Pack. Read Universal’s April 2024 information pack

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The first Universal project boundary

The April information showed an area of approximately 700 acres being explored.

This included the 476 acres already acquired and a smaller parcel to the south-west which Universal had an option to purchase.

The additional land could provide a link between the development and the A421, helping create a more direct route for visitors and construction traffic.

The early plans divided the land into four broad areas:

Core Zone

The Core Zone was intended to contain the principal theme park and resort development.

The indicative plans showed space for:

• Theme park attractions.
• Hotels.
• Retail, dining and entertainment.
• Car parking.
• Transport facilities.
• Supporting infrastructure.

Lake Zone

The land north of the Core Zone was identified as the Lake Zone.

Early plans showed a mixture of possible theme park expansion, restoration and landscape uses.

The final proposals would later develop significantly, but this was the first time the public could see how the former clay pits and surrounding land might form part of the wider resort.

West Gateway Zone

The West Gateway sat towards Broadmead Road and the western side of the railway.

It was associated with access, transport and supporting development.

East Gateway Zone

The East Gateway was positioned close to Wixams and the railway.

It was expected to play an important role in connecting visitors arriving by train with the main resort.

An indicative plan—not a final layout

Universal made clear that the maps were illustrative.

The precise location of uses could move within the defined zones, while rides and attractions had not been selected for public announcement.

The April maps were therefore not a final theme park layout.

They were an early indication of how the site could be organised and the amount of surrounding infrastructure needed to support the resort.

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What could the Bedford resort have included?

The early masterplan identified a broad range of possible uses, including:

• A major theme park.
• Hotels.
• Retail, dining and entertainment.
• Car parks.
• Transport hubs.
• Railway facilities.
• Landscape areas.
• Restoration areas.
• Supporting infrastructure.
• Land for potential future expansion.

Universal said that any UK resort would be designed as a world-class destination, but it was still too early to confirm featured attractions and experiences.

The company’s other destinations gave people an idea of the scale and quality it might pursue, but the Bedford proposal could not simply be assumed to replicate any existing Universal park.

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The first employment estimates

Universal’s 2024 engagement material provided an early indication of the economic scale of the project.

It suggested that the resort could create approximately:

• 8,000 jobs when it opened.
• 10,000 jobs by its twentieth year of operation.
• Thousands of construction jobs.
• An on-site construction workforce potentially peaking at around 5,000 people.

Universal also estimated that more than 75% of the operational workforce could come from Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.

These were preliminary estimates published while Universal was still deciding whether to proceed. Later projections were revised as the proposal developed.

The early figures nevertheless demonstrated that this would not be an ordinary leisure development. It had the potential to become one of the largest employers in the region.

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The first transport proposals

Transport was one of the biggest issues surrounding the project from the beginning.

A destination capable of attracting millions of visitors could not rely solely on the existing local road and railway network.

Universal’s early material discussed:

• New connections with the A421.
• Improvements to local roads.
• Better railway infrastructure.
• Links with East West Rail.
• Visitor transport hubs.
• Coach travel.
• Walking and cycling routes.
• On-site parking.
• Measures intended to reduce traffic through surrounding villages.

Universal said the site’s transport connections were one of the reasons Bedford had been selected, but it also acknowledged that major infrastructure improvements would be necessary.

The April 2024 plans included approximately 4,200 parking spaces, together with an intended mix of electric-vehicle charging points.

Early construction-access plans

The 2024 engagement documents also gave the first indication of how construction vehicles might reach the site.

Universal proposed that, before permanent A421 access was available, the main construction route could use Woburn Road and a temporary access from Broadmead Road.

A secondary emergency access was proposed from Manor Road, while construction vehicles would not be permitted to travel through Stewartby to reach Broadmead Road.

These proposals would later be refined through the formal planning process.

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Environment, landscape and local heritage

Universal recognised that the proposed resort sat within a landscape shaped by industry, agriculture, lakes and restored land.

The early engagement asked residents for views on:

• Protecting wildlife.
• Improving ecology.
• New planting.
• Walking and cycling routes.
• Visual effects.
• Noise.
• Celebrating local history.
• Relationships with the Forest of Marston Vale.

Universal said it would create landscaped buffers and plant thousands of trees as part of its approach to reducing the development’s visual impact and supporting biodiversity.

The information also introduced the idea of an open-sky design, in which buildings and structures of different heights would be arranged to avoid creating a single solid wall of development.

Most elements were expected to be much lower than the maximum height limits, with only selected structures rising higher to create visual interest and help visitors navigate the resort.

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April 2024: The first public exhibitions

Alongside the online consultation, Universal held two public exhibitions.

13 April 2024 — Kimberley College

The first exhibition was held at Kimberley College in Stewartby on Saturday 13 April between 11am and 4pm.

Its location brought the engagement close to communities immediately surrounding the development site.

16 April 2024 — Bedford College

The second exhibition was held at Bedford College’s Modern Methods of Construction building on Tuesday 16 April between 4.30pm and 8pm.

The same information was available online, but the events allowed residents, businesses and community groups to speak directly with members of the project team.

Visitors were encouraged to provide feedback through a survey that remained open until 3 May.

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What did Universal ask people about?

The engagement was not a vote on individual rides or Universal franchises.

Instead, Universal sought views on the broader effect of the potential development and how it could fit into the surrounding area.

Subjects included:

• Local transport.
• Roads and railways.
• Wildlife and ecology.
• Landscaping.
• Footpaths and cycleways.
• Local history and heritage.
• Construction impacts.
• Community partnerships.
• Employment and training.
• Support for local organisations.

Universal said there was greater scope for public feedback to influence matters outside the main theme park boundary, such as landscaping, biodiversity and walking routes.

The visitor experience within the park itself would primarily be developed by Universal’s own creative teams.

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3 May 2024: Public engagement closes

The four-week engagement period closed on 3 May 2024.

Universal then began reviewing the survey responses, conversations from the public exhibitions and feedback from community organisations.

The process did not grant planning permission, and Universal had still not made its final investment decision.

It did, however, provide evidence of the level of local interest and the principal issues that the company would need to address if it wanted to move forward.

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9 May 2024: Universal publishes the results

On 9 May 2024, Universal published an initial summary of its public engagement.

The company reported that:

• Almost 1,500 people had attended the two public exhibitions.
• More than 6,000 survey responses had been received.
• Nearly 100 local organisations had been engaged.
• Just over 92% of survey respondents supported the potential theme park and resort.
• Fewer than 4% were unsupportive.
• Approximately 4% answered that they did not know.

These were figures from Universal’s own engagement exercise rather than an independent opinion poll.

Nevertheless, they showed considerable enthusiasm for the possibility of a major Universal resort near Bedford.

Universal’s 2024 engagement results

6,000+ survey responses
Almost 1,500 exhibition visitors
Nearly 100 organisations engaged
Just over 92% of respondents supportive

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What did people support?

Universal said respondents were particularly enthusiastic about:

• New employment opportunities.
• Investment in Bedford.
• Training and education.
• Partnerships with schools and colleges.
• Opportunities for local businesses.
• Tourism.
• Regeneration.
• Wider economic benefits.

The possibility of bringing a globally recognised theme park destination to Bedford generated excitement locally and across the country.

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What were people concerned about?

The engagement also highlighted areas where residents wanted much greater reassurance.

These included:

• Road capacity.
• Railway improvements.
• Traffic through local communities.
• Construction vehicle movements.
• Noise.
• Visual effects.
• Environmental protection.
• How the project would be built considerately.

Universal acknowledged that major road and railway investment would be required to support visitors and the local community.

The company also said that construction management, noise and visual impact would remain priorities if the proposal progressed.

These subjects would later become some of the most detailed and closely examined parts of the formal planning submission.

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May to December 2024: The quieter period

Following the publication of the engagement results, the Universal project entered a less visible phase.

There was no announcement confirming that construction would begin, and Universal continued to state that its feasibility and due-diligence work was ongoing.

The company remained in discussions with:

• Local government.
• National government.
• Transport authorities.
• Infrastructure providers.
• Landowners.
• Community organisations.
• Environmental and technical specialists.

Universal said these discussions would help determine whether all the elements needed to support a project of this scale could be put in place.

For people watching the site, the second half of 2024 may have appeared relatively quiet.

There were no ride structures, hotels or theme park buildings appearing over the Bedfordshire landscape.

However, a project of this size required extensive work before a planning submission could be made, including:

• Environmental surveys.
• Ground investigations.
• Transport modelling.
• Flood-risk work.
• Ecology studies.
• Archaeological assessment.
• Infrastructure design.
• Land negotiations.
• Economic analysis.
• Discussions about the planning route.

The lack of dramatic visible construction did not mean that the project had stopped.

Much of the work needed to decide its future was happening away from public view.

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How much did the site physically change during 2023 and 2024?

Very little of the transformation later associated with Universal United Kingdom Resort was visible during these early years.

The future Core Zone remained mostly agricultural land.

The concrete slab and other remnants of the brickworks were still clearly visible.

There were no extensive construction compounds, haul roads or huge archaeological excavations spreading across the site.

The importance of 2023 and 2024 lies elsewhere.

This was when:

• Universal acquired the principal site.
• The company’s interest became public.
• The first project website was launched.
• Initial plans were published.
• The broad development zones were revealed.
• The first transport and construction ideas emerged.
• Thousands of people took part in public engagement.
• Universal began building a relationship with Bedford and its surrounding communities.

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What was known by the end of 2024?

By December 2024, the Universal Bedford project was much better understood—but its future remained uncertain.

What had been confirmed

• Universal owned approximately 476 acres south of Bedford.
• A wider area of approximately 700 acres was being explored.
• The company was considering its first branded theme park and resort in the UK and Europe.
• An indicative masterplan had been published.
• The potential development included a theme park, hotels, retail, dining and entertainment.
• Four broad project zones had been identified.
• Significant road and railway improvements would be needed.
• The first public engagement had attracted thousands of responses.
• Universal was discussing the project with local and national government.

What remained unconfirmed

• Whether Universal would make its final investment decision.
• Whether government support would be secured.
• The final planning submission.
• The definitive project boundary.
• The final layout.
• A construction start date.
• An opening date.
• Individual attractions.
• Themed lands.
• The final hotel offering.
• The detailed transport package.

The entire project still depended on Universal deciding that the Bedford development was viable and that the necessary government, planning and infrastructure arrangements could be secured.

Frequently asked questions

When did Universal buy the Bedford land?

Universal acquired an approximately 476-acre parcel of land south of Bedford during 2023.

The company publicly confirmed its ownership and interest in the site during December 2023.

When did Universal first confirm its Bedford plans?

Universal wrote to local residents on 20 December 2023, confirming that it was in the early stages of exploring a potential park and resort.

It had not made a final decision to proceed at that time.

When were the first plans published?

Universal published its first detailed information pack on 5 April 2024.

The material included an indicative masterplan, project zones, transport proposals and early information about possible construction.

Was the 2024 plan the final theme park layout?

No.

Universal described the masterplan as indicative and said that uses could move within the project zones as the design developed.

Were any rides confirmed during 2024?

No rides, themed lands or entertainment franchises were officially confirmed.

Universal said it was too early to identify the featured attractions and experiences.

How many people supported the project?

Universal reported that just over 92% of respondents to its 2024 engagement survey supported the potential theme park and resort.

This was the result of Universal’s own public-engagement survey rather than an independent poll.

How large was the proposed site?

Universal had purchased approximately 476 acres, while the wider area it was exploring covered approximately 700 acres and included additional land for transport connections.

Had Universal decided to build the park by the end of 2024?

No final decision had been publicly announced by the end of 2024.

Universal was continuing feasibility work and discussions with government and transport authorities.

What happened next?

On 9 April 2025, Universal, the UK Government and Bedford Borough Council announced an agreement to take the resort forward.

The full planning documents were subsequently published during July 2025, followed by consultation and approval of the Special Development Order in December.

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Continue the Universal Bedford story

The end of 2024 left one enormous question unanswered:

Would Universal actually commit to building its first European theme park near Bedford?

That answer arrived during 2025.

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About Wandering Northerner

Wandering Northerner provides independent coverage of Universal United Kingdom Resort near Bedford.

The project is documented through original photography, regular site visits, planning research, maps and construction videos.

Wandering Northerner is not affiliated with Universal Destinations & Experiences, Comcast NBCUniversal or the official Universal United Kingdom Resort project.

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