Plans submitted for £600 million history-themed park in Oxfordshire
The new park aims to create thousands of jobs and attract over a million visitors annually, opening in phases from 2029.
French entertainment company Puy du Fou, known for its award-winning history-themed parks in France and Spain, has submitted an outline planning application to Cherwell District Council for a £600 million park near Bicester, Oxfordshire.
If approved, the park will open in phases starting in 2029. Once fully developed, it is expected to welcome around 1.47 million visitors annually and directly employ approximately 2,000 people.
It will also support a further 6,000 jobs in hotels, restaurants, suppliers, and other local businesses, providing an estimated £500 million boost to the local and regional economy each year.
The park will offer an immersive experience celebrating British history, featuring four period villages and 13 live shows.
Olivier Strebelle, CEO of Puy du Fou, said the company took over a year to consult extensively with local communities and stakeholders to refine the proposals.
He emphasized the project’s strong commitment to sustainability, including plans for extensive landscaping, new ponds, lakes, gardens, and the planting of 20,000 trees. These efforts will help create the first new 50-acre forest in Cherwell in generations, alongside over 40 acres of wildflower meadows and 5 km of new hedgerows.
More information on the project is available at www.puydufouconsultation.co.uk.