Puy du Fou has launched its second public consultation on proposals for a £600 million UK theme park near Bicester in Oxfordshire.
The company started looking for its first UK site in 2023. It later confirmed plans to build the new destination in Cherwell by the M40, and then held the first period of public engagement in July 2024.
Puy du Fou’s latest public consultation includes three events to be held in February, as follows:
Bicester: 6 February between 12pm and 7pm at Weyland Hall
Banbury: 7 February between 12pm and 7pm at Whately Hall Hotel
Bucknell: 8 February between 10am and 5pm at Village Hall
Additionally, people can provide feedback online.
Olivier Strebelle, chief executive of Puy du Fou, said: “After announcing our initial concepts last year, we held consultation events in Bucknell, Bicester and Oxford, and have since met hundreds of local people and organisations.
“This has helped us draw up proposals that will create a world-class destination that excites British visitors with their own history while still being a good neighbour to local people.”
Instead of rides and roller coasters, Puy du Fou’s historical theme parks offer shows, immersive experiences and period villages. The UK resort will include three themed hotels.
Puy du Fou has two permanent locations, one in France and the other in Spain, as well as Saga City of Light, its first attraction in China.
£600m investment for new Puy du Fou
Strebelle added: “We want to create a setting of beautiful gardens and wildflower meadows, and the first new forest in Oxfordshire for generations, covering 50 acres and with 20,000 new trees being planted.
“This would be a £600 million investment in the local economy over the next 10 years, and would employ 700 people, plus create as many as 2,000 new jobs at hotels, suppliers and other local businesses, from its first year of opening.
“I look forward to listening to local people and businesses as we work on finalising our plans for this exciting project.”
Puy du Fou aims to submit a planning application for the theme park this summer, with a decision expected in winter 2025. Work on the attraction is scheduled to begin in 2026, and the opening is slated for 2029.
Images courtesy of Puy du Fou
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