Destinations

Conceptual artist's rendering of the new park. Picture: Universal Destinations & Experiences

More than 500 businesses take part in Working with Universal event in Bedford

Windemere in the Lake District is a popular romantic getaway spot

Ad Feature Lake District crowned as Britain's most romantic getaway

WTM Spotlight Riyadh will also provide international participants with an opportunity to experience Saudi first-hand

Ad Feature Saudi, Welcome to Arabia showcases Saudi's growing tourism offering

Almost a fifth of respondents have embarked on 12 or more work trips over the past year alone

A quarter of workers are travelling more post pandemic than before

The Tourism Minister chaired the first meeting with local leaders to discuss how the benefits of the Universal United Kingdom Resort will be spread across the region.

Talks held to maximise benefits of landmark Universal theme park

Short-haul destinations tended to have the biggest price drops this autumn

Ad Feature Drop in travel costs for UK holidaymakers this September

Budva, Montenegro offers a similar Mediterranean escape with beautiful Adriatic coastline, historic streets and lively beach clubs.

10 holiday dupes offering fewer crowds and lower prices

Holafly helps travellers use data abroad.

Holafly discount: save 10% on travel eSIMs

Fans in London have the opportunity to take part in the Pokémon GO Summer Quest

Pokémon GO Summer Quest launching at National Trust sites

UK flight searches for eclipse hotspots has risen by up to 201%

Ad Feature Travellers flock to Reykjavik for the solar eclipse

Four in 10 enjoy trying crisps which aren’t available in the UK

Brits love trying foreign crisps when on holiday, survey finds
Six in 10 Brits are more likely to try new flavours when abroad than at home.
Alice Hughes

One of the cruise destinations is the Antarctic

Taste the luxury of a world cruise without the long-term stay on board

Stewartby Brickworks closed in 2008 after over 100 years of brickmaking in the area.

Fun day to mark Stewartby centenary and future home of Universal Studios

Universal Studios in Florida. (Image: Iconic Media Group)

Universal to sponsor River Festival - along with Gallagher Developments

Prague is among the best-value destinations for a week away.

Ad Feature KAYAK reveals the best value destinations for Brits this summer

Viking Longship on the Danube

A river cruise on a Danube Longship that is full of heart

Santa Barbara is known as the 'American Riviera'

Santa Barbara: Enjoying a European escape on the Californian coast

Le Chateau De Jouarres sits in the Minervois wine region of southern France

Seven nights in this gorgeous French chateau cost just £129 per person

A poll of 2,000 travellers revealed almost half enjoy comparing the number of destinations they've visited abroad with others

This new tool reveals how much of the world you've travelled

Marmaris, in Turkey, is a dream destination for most Brits - but we’ve found an incredibly cheap way to stay there

This Turkey holiday with flights can be booked for just £119pp

Seven in 10 have used loyalty points to help them book a trip that would previously have been out of reach.

The average Brit has enjoyed three 'holidays of a lifetime'

File photo of a boy flying a drone (Photo by Sean Gallup Getty Images), and inset, Universal Studios' Florida theme park

Universal tries to ban drones from theme park site - but can it enforce it?

Three in 10 Gen Zs have been influenced to visit thanks to social media creators.

The top 15 TV shows and films inspiring people to travel to Asia

Hotel searches using the ‘pet-friendly’ filter are up 28% year on year.

Ad Feature KAYAK reveals the UK’s top breaks for slow travel with a dog

ESP Utilities Group has been appointed to design, build and operate the new community infrastructure at the Universal resort in Bedford (Photo: Pixabay)

One of UK’s largest EV charging facilities among latest plans for Universal

Liverpool earns KAYAK’s highest ‘lucky in love’ star rating, with the lowest divorce rate in the country.

Ad Feature Liverpool is this year’s #1 Valentine’s destination

A four-night holiday can be had for just £79 - if you're quick

Full list of £79 four-night family holidays thanks to discount code

The index ranks resorts based on a combination of factors, including the cost of lift passes, equipment hire, accommodation, transport and the average price of a beer, as well as accessibility from the UK.

Balkan resort with £1 beers is Europe’s most affordable ski resort
A Balkan resort has topped an index of Europe’s most affordable ski destinations – boasting £1 beers and slope access for under £50 a day.
Martin Winter

Universal Studios' theme park in Florida and inset, an artist's impression of the Wixams station plans that the Government has asked to 'pause'

Council faces £32 million bill over halted Wixams Station

Egypt with Jules Verne

Why Egypt should be the next destination on your wishlist for 2026

Bedford has been added to the dropdown on Universal's global careers website (Picture: Pixabay)

It's finally happening... Universal adds Bedford to global jobs website

Community Matters

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year: looking back at 2025 and ahead in 2026

Seven nights in the Algarve can be booked, including flights, for just £129

We've found seven-night holidays for less than £150 in this crazy sale

Concept art of the theme park.

Construction to begin to Universal Studios Bedford

Universal Studios has been given the green light after the Government granted planning permission (Pixabay)

Universal Studios gets green light after Government grants planning permission

Shrewsbury made the list.

Ad Feature Move over bucket list - here is the UK's ‘Not Hot’ destination list

A four-night holiday can be had for just £79 - if you're quick

Last day to bag a £79 four-night seaside holiday while the sale lasts

Swimming in the cove of Port Gaverne

Why swimming in our own Cornish fishing cove beat travelling abroad

Each trend is backed by first-party data and insights from 24,000 global travellers

Travel trends for 2026 - including reading retreats and farm stays

You could be experiencing the magic of Manhattan at Christmas for just £99

£99 Christmas market mystery holiday: New York, Lapland, Rome, or...?

Mathematician Bobby Seagull used data from a sample of 1,000 18-30-year-olds who were in a long-distance relationship while at University

Formula for perfect long-distance relationship for students revealed

Where are the 10 best places to visit in the United Kingdom, according to the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards?

The best city to visit in the UK has been named - and it's not London

Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) plans to apply for restricted air space over its proposed theme park near Bedford. (Photo: Universal Studios)

Universal Studios water demand poses major challenge

The world-famous Colosseum in Rome

Seeing the sights whilst indulging in luxury during 24 hours in Rome

Hamburg's Christmas markets take some beating

Hamburg Christmas market break with 4* hotel and flights for £99
A festive break in Hamburg just got affordable — stay in a four star hotel and enjoy return flights for as little as £99 per person
Gareth Butterfield

A single root canal for just £120

Ad Feature Brits fly out to Istanbul to save big on dental pain relief

(Photo supplied by Leeds Bradford Airport)

Smarter way to get travel money without airport exchange fees

One proposed development that has generated significant interest is Universal’s ambition to create a world-class theme park and resort in Bedfordshire

Council calls for Government funding to mitigate Universal theme park impact

New York City is a dream Christmas destination - and you could fly there for just £99

Fly to a mystery Christmas destination for just £99 with this deal

Staying at the luxurious Conrad Chia Laguna hotel in Sardinia was a dream - it was the perfect escape from the UK. (Photo: Isabella Boneham)

I had a dreamy stay at this hotel - it was the perfect escape from UK

The 15 UK attractions awarded Tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards

Wixams Sign Photo: LDRS

Mayor cancels Wixams station project to make way for a larger one

Their bands have also featured at Expo 2020 Dubai and the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Ad Feature Europe’s hottest event music platform expands across the Middle East

Universal Studios are acquiring homes on Manor Road in Kempston Hardwick where they are planing to build their theme park. Picture: James Linsell Clark / SWNS

Villages say they feel 'bullied' into making way for Universal theme park

Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) plans to apply for restricted air space over its proposed theme park near Bedford. (Photo: Universal Studios)

Universal raises concerns over East West Rail in theme park application

Latest from NationalWorld.com

BBC Look East presenter Susie Fowler-Watt

BBC presenter quits after 35 years for new career

Why can't we just agree on a direction for plugs to point in, and then stick to it?

The Gadget Agenda: Awkward plugs are driving me up the wall Gareth Butterfield

Millions of UK households face another broadband bill increase in April 2027, even if they are locked into an existing contract, prompting fresh calls for a ban on mid-contract price rises.

Broadband customers face fresh £48 bill warning

The Government recommends households gradually build an emergency kit with practical essentials such as a torch, first aid kit, emergency radio and portable power bank.

Explainer What you need in a Government 3-day emergency kit

News you can trust since 1845

© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Terms and Conditions Privacy notice