Moving to Bedford
Moving to Bedfordshire.
For people relocating to the area, and the owners whose homes they will want to rent.
Universal is coming to Bedford.
- Due to open
- 2031Due to open
- Committed by Comcast NBCUniversal
- £5bn+Committed by Comcast NBCUniversal
- Government investment in infrastructure
- £1.3bnGovernment investment in infrastructure
- Permanent jobs once open
- 8,000Permanent jobs once open
Universal's first UK resort is being built on the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks, south of Bedford. Planning permission was granted by a Special Development Order made in December 2025, which came into force on 12 January 2026. Enabling works are under way, and the resort is due to open in 2031.
Comcast NBCUniversal has committed more than £5 billion to the resort, with £1.3 billion of government investment in roads, rail and local infrastructure. The project is expected to support around 20,000 jobs during construction and 8,000 permanent jobs once open.
For the area, that means people arriving to work here, many of whom will rent before they buy. We are building BrickSmith for them, and for the owners whose homes they will want.
Sources: Bedford Borough Council; Construction Enquirer, September 2026. Correct as at October 2026.
Getting about.
Bedford has direct trains to London St Pancras, Luton Airport Parkway and Gatwick on the Thameslink and Midland Main Line routes. East West Rail is planned to connect Bedford with Oxford and Cambridge. The M1 and A1 are both within easy reach.
Where people choose to live.
Bedford and its villages, Woburn and the Greensand Ridge, and the towns and villages towards Milton Keynes and into Hertfordshire. Ask us about any area and we will tell you honestly what it is like to live there.
Owner updates.
Occasional, useful updates for owners on Universal and the local rental market. No more than one a month.
