News / Plans revealed for UK answer to Disney Land resort

WE have our own theme parks, zoos and safaris across the country, but what if you had the ‘UK’s answer to Disneyland’ almost on your doorstep?

Not to be outdone by the likes of Paris and Orlando, plans for the major attraction were first announced six years ago and it’s fair to say everyone was pretty excited.

Known as The London Resort, no new details seemingly had emerged up until now, but it was actually announced by bosses in November 2018 that the

£3.5 billion scheme will open on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Dartford, Kent in the next five years. It had originally been earmarked to open by 2019 - but this has been pushed back due to delays including changes to the design. The project is the first of its kind in the UK and once open, the park will feature a wide range of attractions and entertainment with an estimated 50,000 tourists visiting every day.

In May 2014, the park was given ‘nationally significant’ status, which meant that planning applications could go straight to the Secretary of State and bypass local planning requirements.

In March last year, developers outlined their key plans to members of the Government Planning Inspectorate. Due to the huge scale of the project, enhancements will be made to flood defence works as well as landscaping including water features.

Plans include themed rides, one of the largest indoor water parks in Europe and a 1,500 seat theatre which will showcase ‘West End quality’ productions. A range of hotels including flexible space capable of hosting conferences, exhibitions and events will also be built. Developers have teamed up with the BBC and Aardman, one of the UK’s leading animation studios, meaning that a number of TV shows and characters could be brought to life at the resort.

The park will be accessible via train, just 17 minutes from London St Pancras, plus Eurostar links to Paris and Brussels.