A Theme Park Without Rides: Bringing British History Alive
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Theme parks are a favourite British day out, building thrilling rides around film franchises, children’s TV shows, or fantasy worlds. A day out at a theme park is a popular way to treat school children with an end of term reward, and coach hire transport is all part of the fun, bringing classmates and teachers together to build up the anticipation.
The Times reports that we look set to have a brand new theme park dedicated to the greatest battles and stories of the past, with world-class displays rather than rides. It will certainly be one to put on the list for history fans and school trips. Here’s a look at the details!
Recreating a French success story
The new historical theme park will be based on a highly successful attraction in the Loire region of western France. Puy du Fou was built in 1977, and is visited by 2.5 million people every year, just slightly less than Disneyland in Paris.
The attraction is designed to take visitors on a dazzling journey through time. There are award-winning shows from the Roman era, the Middle Ages, the Hundred Years War, World War One and more. It has built up a reputation as one of the world’s best themed experiences.
Spectacular live events to bring history to life
The site also includes six themed hotels and four period villages, with over 250 acres of natural landscapes to explore. The shows are expertly created to bring historical events to life, with spectacular special effects that are designed to transport the audience back in time with added emotional impact.
There’s the chance to see thrilling chariot races in Roman amphitheatres, jousting knights outside Mediaval castles, burning Viking battleships, and live action stunts with a stirring soundtrack. In the themed restaurants and hotels, modern comforts are combined with historical food and decor.
The vision for the UK
The team behind the acclaimed French attraction are planning to bring the thrills and spills to English soil, with a site near to Bicester in Oxfordshire earmarked for the new development. Bicester is already on the global tourist map, thanks to the presence of the designer outlet village, where visitors can snap up high-end clothes at high street prices.
Puy du Foy has already translated successfully to Toledo in Spain, with an attraction opening there in 2021 and drawing over 1.5 million visitors per year. The French team worked with local Spanish historians and hired local performers to ensure an authentic visitor experience.
Now, the team are hoping to create a UK park based around British history, with displays from the Roman era and the First World War.
The stamp of approval from UK historians
The experience aims to be both highly entertaining and educational, and has been given the stamp of approval by British historians including Tom Holland and Dan Snow.
The media historian and author Dan Snow, who presents TV programmes and podcasts, told The Times that a British version of the theme park could be a “gateway drug to get people into actual history”. He added: “Why go to theme parks about made up nonsense when you can go somewhere at least inspired by the actual events that have shaped our past.”
Discussions to help create an authentic experience
The company behind Puy du Foy has already purchased 370 acres of land north of Bicester, and have opened discussions with local theatre groups, residents and councils. There are plans for landscaped gardens with water features and exotic trees, and four villages based around a historical era.
There would also be between ten to 20 live shows per day, with each one aiming to recreate an era from history in an informative and entertaining way.
The winning formula
Olivier Strebelle, Puy du Fou’s chief executive, said: “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: “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.
An experience to bring generations together
At first glance, a historical theme park might seem to appeal to the older generation more than children. However, with immersive live events and jaw-dropping special effects, people of all ages should find something to enjoy as well as entertain.
History is a subject that can sometimes be rendered rather dull in a classroom context, so the theme park will be an ideal destination for school trips. It may even open doors in young hearts and minds, inspiring them to continue learning in their own time through reading, listening to podcasts, or watching TV documentaries.
Strebelle commented: “Success will look like, if at the end of the day they spend with us they would like to deepen their knowledge of some elements of that history and get educated, like reading a novel. At our parks it’s something you can share between a ten-year-old and their grandparents, enjoying the same show together and having lunch together.”
With the public consultation phase of the planned Bicester development complete, the Puy du Foy team are now preparing for their biggest hurdle: navigating the complexities of the British planning process.
If they emerge on the other side of this battleground triumphant, the UK could see an exciting new theme park to rival the likes of Thorpe Park and Alton Towers (albeit minus the rollercoasters) in the foreseeable future.