2 weeks Ago
Puy du Fou is a historical theme park with no rides and is proposing to build a site near to junction 10 of the M40 on land north of Bucknell, near Bicester. With a site already in France and in Spain, the park in Oxfordshire would be open between April and October and would have four period villages and 13 live shows. READ MORE: Couple 'lucky to escape alive' after fire destroys thatched roof in minutes Plans also include three hotels themed to different periods of British history, restaurants and a conference centre.
Puy du Fou plans on submitting a planning application in the summer, and if approved, the park could be built by 2028/29. In preparation for this, archaeologists will excavate a series of trial trenches across the site starting today (April 22). This is a standard aspect of the planning process, in which Puy du Fou are required to carry out certain archaeological works to help inform the planning decision.
These include a full geophysical survey of the site - which has already been undertaken - and trial trenching across the site to check for any archaeological features of importance below ground. This will be recorded, before the trenches are then backfilled. Any historically significant finds and features will also be investigated and recorded, and a detailed report will be produced based on the findings of this investigation.
This will be available for public viewing as part of the planning application documents submitted to Cherwell District Council and will also appear on the Oxfordshire Historic Environment Record. This report, including information about any possible finds, will inform how Puy du Fou works with Cherwell and Oxfordshire councils to 'ensure that the local historic record is appropriately investigated and better understood'. David Nouaille, head of international development at Puy du Fou said: “We are very excited that our UK project has reached this new milestone.
"We believe in showcasing history and making it accessible for everybody. "Understanding the history of our own site is a really exciting first step. David Nouaille at a consultation in Bicester last year (Image: Charlotte Coles) “Although the land has been intensively farmed for many years, we will be looking carefully for any buried archaeological remains that may survive within the site.
READ MORE: Man arrested after person 'threatened' on high street "The results of the archaeological works will enable us to devise an appropriate strategy for any further investigation and recording or necessary preservation." In December 2024 a 142-page 'scoping 'opinion' request was submitted by Savills in order to obtain formal opinions on which information to supply in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which will be submitted as part of the planning application. This followed public exhibitions held in Bicester in July, which gave residents, businesses and officials the opportunity to share their thoughts, raise concerns and to learn more about the theme park.
.
