Unique new theme park with no rides set to open in the UK will see guests ‘travel thousands of years back in time’
A NEW ride-free theme park is set to open in the UK, following success in both France and Spain.
Poy du Fou first opened in western France in 1978, becoming the second most popular attraction in the country after Disneyland Paris with a record 2.8million tourists last year.
This was followed by Toledo in Spain in 2019 – which welcomed 1.5million tourists.
And new plans have revealed what to expect from the £300million theme park hoping to open in Oxfordshire.
There will be between ten and 20 lives shows during the experience, each lasting ten to 30 minutes.
The historical reenactments are based on that country’s history, and the UK’s version is likely to use both Roman times and World War I.
Olivier Strebelle, Puy du Fou’s chief executive, told The Times: “We want our guests to be disconnected from the 21st century.
“We have our guests travel through time, out of [the] Roman period and into the 20th century period of the great wars, and the best segue between them is nature because it’s always been there.”
He added that they want the park to be for “local people,” similar to how the most tourists that visit the European theme parks are from the same country.
It said the plans would be similar to Kew Garden with “beautiful trees, water and plants“.
Themed hotels and historical restaurants are also part of the plans.
He also said: “We have a checklist: you need spectacular technology, you need people and animals, some pace, and the local person from the period to create a bond with the visitors – we have the conceptual elements and then local historians tell us what is important and could match.”
Planning applications for the theme park will be submitted this summer, with 370 acres of land near Bicester put forward.
The ride-free park is even launching a new train ride experience across the UK, called Le Grand Tour.
Calling itself the “world’s longest show,” the six-day experience will travel feom Paris through France.
You will have to start saving though, as tickets start from £7k each.
What is Puy du Fou like for kids?
The Sun’s Clive Andrews visited Puy du Fou in France.
YOU can wander through period villages of thatched cottages and watch artisan craftsmen ply their trades.
There are landscaped gardens and walkways lined with statues that come to life.
Our first show of the day was Le Bal Des Oiseaux Fantomes — The Ghost Birds’ Dance.
We switch on our headsets to translate the French dialogue so we can follow the story about Eleanor of Aquitaine.
Next up is Le Signe du Triomphe, a Roman show set in a vast gladiator arena.
But the plot plays second fiddle to the real stars of the show — some 200 birds.
Falconers swirl lures round their heads like lassos as birds of prey swoop down at frightening speed.
My kids — Charlotte, eight, and her five-year-old brother Leo — sit open-mouthed in wonder.
Another technology-free park is Bewilderwood, which has two attractions in the UK.
First opened in Norfolk in 2007, a second site opened in 2021 in Cheshire.
Based on the Tom Blofield book series, inside are huge wooden structures, treetop climbs and adventure trails.
The parks are open from February to November, with full opening dates from April to August.
It is only open on weekends and summer holiday dates in February, March, September, October, November and December.
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