London Resort Company Holdings is advancing a bold £3.4 billion (about $4.2 billion) theme park proposal that could become one of the United Kingdom’s largest and most ambitious entertainment destinations.
Planned on an 872-acre site in Dartford, in the borough of Kent, the resort aims to welcome visitors by 2023 if it secures the necessary government approvals. Developers have indicated construction would begin in 2019 following consent.
“We are creating a unique entertainment destination offering a scale and quality unprecedented in the United Kingdom where much-loved characters and stories will be brought to life from iconic movies, television, books, electronic gaming and toys,” said Humphrey Percy, chief executive officer of LRCH. “Together we are creating a global entertainment resort without parallel in this country, propelling us into the top ten theme park resorts in the world.”
Paramount Pictures withdrew from the project earlier in the year, which means proposed attractions based on that studio’s properties—such as Transformers—are no longer planned. Despite that change, the London Resort Company has stated the development will proceed and will feature well-known brands and stories across TV, film, literature and gaming. The company currently holds licensing agreements with Aardman Animations and the BBC, which provide access to franchises such as Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Doctor Who and Top Gear.
At full operation, the resort is projected to attract around 40,000 guests per day. Day tickets are expected to be in the region of $75. The master plan includes more than 50 thrill rides alongside performance venues, retail areas, multiple theaters, a diverse range of dining options and over 4,000 hotel rooms to support multi-day stays.
Developers position the resort as a major new leisure hub for the UK, promising significant investment in local infrastructure and employment. If realized, the project would create a large, year-round attraction intended to compete with leading international theme parks by combining immersive storytelling, high-quality attractions and extensive guest services.