Comcast NBCUniversal has confirmed plans to invest more than £5 billion in building its first-ever European theme park and resort, marking one of the largest entertainment investments in the
United Kingdom in recent years.
The development, officially named Universal United Kingdom Resort, will be built in Bedfordshire, around 55 miles north of London. The project will also benefit from approximately £1.3 billion in government funding aimed at improving local roads, rail connections and supporting infrastructure.
Originally announced in April 2025, the resort is expected to become a major tourism destination when it opens in 2031. Universal said the construction phase will create nearly 20,000 jobs, while a further 8,000 permanent positions will be generated once the park begins operating.
The new resort will join Universal's global portfolio of theme parks, which includes destinations in California, Florida, Singapore, Japan and China. Visitors can expect attractions inspired by some of the company's most successful film franchises, including Jurassic Park and Harry Potter, alongside several new themed lands.
Universal aims to attract around 8.5 million visitors during its first year of operation, making it one of the UK's most significant leisure attractions.
The project's name and branding were officially unveiled at Downing Street, where Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy appeared alongside Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts. Nandy described the investment as a major endorsement of Britain's economy and tourism sector.
Roberts highlighted Comcast's long-standing presence in the UK through Sky and NBCUniversal, saying the company is excited to create what he called a "spectacular destination" for visitors from across the country and around the world.
Comcast acquired the 500-acre Bedfordshire site, a former brickworks, in 2023 and secured planning approval for the development in December 2025. Construction is expected to begin in the coming years as preparations continue for the resort's planned 2031 opening.
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