British history to be celebrated at new £600,000,000 Puy du Fou theme park

A £600m theme park could be coming to Oxfordshire (Picture: Puy du Fou/PA Wire)

With the country going England flag-crazy and nationalism reaching near hysterical levels, what better time is there to build a theme park based on British history?

Puy du Fou, who put on highly realistic reenactments of Viking battles and Roman chariot races in France, now hope to open a £600 million British venue in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

1.47 million people are expected to visit the new theme park each year, with plans to employ about 2,000 people ahead of its 2029 opening.

But the plans have divided locals. Some are ecstatic at the prospect of a mega theme park in Oxfordshire, while others expressed concern about overdevelopment.

Puy du Fou’s chief executive sought to reassure people that the proposals were well thought out and would benefit people in the area.

Olivier Strebelle told the BBC: ‘We did not rush our consultation because we wanted to get our proposals right.

‘We have wanted to come to the UK for many years. Britain has such a rich, colourful and exciting history, and the site we have chosen near Bicester is the ideal location.’

Not all in Bicester shared Mr Strebelle’s enthusiasm, however.

Anthony Coogan objected to a scoping opinion application submitted by Puy du Fou in December 2024.

In the letter sent in late February this year, Anthony raised concerns over noise, traffic problems and the loss of public right of way.

He wrote, ‘Over recent years, Bicester has become increasingly isolated from the neighbouring countryside as a result of new housing, warehouses and other developments.

‘It is not like a festival which is over in a weekend […] if similar hours [to the French site] are implemented here, [it] will mean frequent serious noise disruption for those living nearby.’

Plans for the theme park have divided opinion in Bicester (Credits: Puy du Fou/PA Wire)

Fellow Bicester resident Sue Willis wrote that the theme park could cause traffic problems and spoil the ‘beautiful’ hamlet-style village of Bainton.

‘Wildlife will be pushed away with the noise, rubbish and extra road traffic,’ she added.

The French operator’s proposal includes three hotels themed on different periods of British history, four period villages and 13 live shows.

Mr Strebelle said Puy du Fou’s consultation took over a year and included six events as well as more than 250 meetings before the September 1 application was made.

Lakes and gardens – including 20,000 trees and 40 acres of wildflower meadows – were also set out in the application.

But Brenda Williams, in an email to the council in January this year, branded the plans for a theme park in Bicester ‘an appalling idea’.

‘The level of traffic and noise will disrupt the peace and tranquility in the area.’

Puy du Fou, which has run theme parks since 1978, has forecast an £500 million injection to the local economy. 

The operator told The Independent that it would create an extra 6,000 jobs in its hospitality services.

Other UK theme parks that are set to open include Universal Studios Great Britain park near Bedford in 2031, and Kynren The Storied Lands close to Bishop Auckland in 2026.

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