Consultation launched on £600m theme park proposal

Theme park company Puy du Fou has launched a public consultation on proposals for a new £600m history-based attraction based in the Oxfordshire countryside.

The attraction near Bicester would include four period villages and 13 live shows in which visitors can "immerse themselves in British history".

Plans also include three hotels based on different periods of British history, restaurants and a conference centre.

Puy du Fou has history-themed parks in Les Epesses in France since 1978 and in Toledo, Spain, since 2021.

On the continent, it has showcased historical events such as the Roman Empire and figures like patron saint of France, Joan of Arc.

Under the proposals, the new Oxfordshire-based park would open between April and October each year.

Natural features such as ponds, lakes, and gardens, and more than 40 acres of wildflower meadows and 20,000 new trees, are also included in the plans.

The French company has launched an online consultation on the scheme.

Three consultation events will also be held at Weyland Hall in Bicester, Whatley Hall Hotel in Banbury and Bucknell Village Hall on 6, 7 and 8 February.

Olivier Strebelle, chief executive of Puy du Fou, said: "I look forward to listening to local people and businesses as we work on finalising our plans for this exciting project."

"This would be a £600m 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.

Mr Strebelle said the park would also be home to the "first new forest in Oxfordshire for generations".

He added that previous consultations had "helped us draw up proposals that will create a world-class destination" that "excites British visitors" while "still being a good neighbour to local people".

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