Drone footage taken at the Universal United Kingdom Resort construction site has revealed a 24-metre-deep Victorian well dating back to at least 1873.
The discovery offers local people a rare glimpse into Bedfordshire’s past as enabling works continue for the major development.
Historical links
The site, located near the planned infrastructure link between Kempston Hardwick station and Ampthill Road, sits on land with rich local heritage.
Drone operator Andy, who runs the Project Universal UK Facebook group, captured the well while filming one of his regular site updates and spotted the structure.
Andy said: “The well dates back to 1873 (potentially older), a time when the Bedford Cow Meadow racecourse was still active, although it was nearing the end of its life.
“Interestingly, just one year later in 1874, the area was also used as the Royal Agricultural Society’s showground, so there is a possibility the well could have been connected to that use of the land.
“The well itself is around 24 metres deep, making it an incredible piece of history hidden beneath the ground for over 150 years.
“It’s amazing to think that while one of the biggest construction projects in the UK is taking place, we’re also uncovering little pieces of Bedfordshire’s past along the way.”
Speaking to the Bedford Independent, Andy explained how he spotted the historic structure during his drone flight.
“I was genuinely excited to see it, especially as I thought I had spotted what I thought could be the well at the start of the video; it was a lovely surprise to then spot the actual well I had always known was on that field,” he said.
“It would be amazing to keep it as a feature, but realistically I think it’s on the site where they plan to put a road in from Kempston Hardwick to Ampthill Road, so I think it’ll simply be recorded and capped again to be built over.”
Archaeological discoveries
Archaeological surveys across the site form part of the commitments made by Universal Destinations & Experiences during the resort’s planning process.
A spokesperson for Universal United Kingdom Resort said: “As part of our ongoing enabling work, we commissioned nationally renowned archaeology experts to conduct surveys at different locations across our site.
“Nothing of major archaeological significance which would impact the development has been found where the theme park and initial construction areas of the resort are located.
“On other parts of the site, we have uncovered three features, which we believe to be wells, and our archaeology team will carefully assess and date them in due course as part of their reporting process.”
The Universal United Kingdom Resort is a multi-billion-pound theme park and entertainment destination currently under development in Kempston Hardwick, Bedford Borough.
Due to open in 2031, it will be Universal’s first branded theme park resort in the UK and Europe, built on a 476-acre former brickworks site.
In 2024, the Bedford Independent broke the worldwide exclusive of potential plans to build the theme park.
Read: Universal Studios confirm they are planning a theme park in Bedford Borough
Almost two years later, we broke the news locally that it had been given the green light via a Special Development Order (SDO) that later came into force on 12 January 2026.
Read: Breaking news: Green light given for Bedford Universal Studios theme park
