RR+: The UK will get a Universal theme park, including Bond, Paddington - and probably ‘The Lord of the Rings’

When the BBC posted its article on April 15, 2025, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was obviously happy to pose for some publicity shots - but quite a few people had already known things were happening.

A short introduction to the Roving Ranger + (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).

Theme park website Riderater had already titled in December 2023: ‘Universal Studios Great Britain’ mooted. (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) It was made clear via US website Orlando Park Stop that Comcast had acquired a company (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) owning a site that has turned out to be the place where all things are happening.

Given the fact that Universal Studios had taken out the UK trademark UNIVERSAL DESTINATIONS & EXPERIENCES (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) on Jan 10, 2023, it must have been clear by then that plans were afoot.

According to another BBC article (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) some of the themes involved will be Bond, Paddington, LotR - but not Harry Potter. Having said this, it was noted:

While the source is confident that these concepts are happening, the theme park is not expected to open until 2031, which means some plans could change…

The source insisted "contracts have been signed" and it would be unlikely things would change.

Anyway, here is the official website to the project.

Set to open in 2031.

Thanks to Tim Lenz (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) for reminding me of adding the BBC article mentioning the themes involved. (May 1st, 2025.)