CityWalk is the vibrant heart of every Universal resort. Here is what to expect from Bedford's dining, shopping, and entertainment district.
Every Universal resort has a CityWalk — a purpose-built dining, shopping, and entertainment district that connects the resort's hotels and car parks to the theme park gates. Far from being a simple corridor to walk through on your way to the rides, CityWalk is a destination in its own right, drawing visitors who come purely for the restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Universal Studios Bedford's CityWalk will bring this concept to the UK for the first time, and it promises to be spectacular.
Universal CityWalk Orlando opened in 1999 and has since become one of Central Florida's most popular entertainment venues. Its neon-lit streetscape houses over thirty restaurants and bars, a multiplex cinema, a mini-golf course, a comedy club, and dozens of retail outlets. Guests can dine at celebrity chef restaurants, catch live music, bowl at a themed bowling alley, and shop for Universal merchandise — all without needing a theme park ticket.
The genius of CityWalk is that it serves multiple audiences simultaneously. Hotel guests use it for evening entertainment. Day visitors pass through it on their way to the parks, often stopping for breakfast or grabbing a souvenir on their way out. Local residents treat it as a night out destination. This multi-layered appeal makes CityWalk economically resilient and ensures foot traffic throughout the day and evening.
Universal Orlando's CityWalk features a diverse restaurant portfolio including the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium (a steampunk-themed chocolate restaurant), Cowfish (a sushi-burger fusion concept), Antojitos (authentic Mexican), Vivo Italian Kitchen, and NBC Sports Grill & Brew. Each restaurant has a distinctive theme, menu, and atmosphere, ensuring variety for repeat visitors.
Bedford's CityWalk will likely feature a mix of Universal's proven restaurant brands and UK-specific additions. British gastropub concepts, local brewery taprooms, and restaurants celebrating regional cuisine could sit alongside international food concepts imported from Orlando and Osaka. The key will be offering diversity — from quick-service outlets for families on a budget to sit-down restaurants for special occasions.
The UK food scene has exploded in quality and variety over the past decade, and Bedford's CityWalk should reflect this. Imagine a themed fish and chip restaurant with Universal flair, a craft beer hall showcasing Bedfordshire breweries, or a patisserie inspired by the Great British Bake Off's aesthetic. These concepts would feel authentic to UK visitors while offering international tourists a curated introduction to British food culture.
CityWalk's retail offering typically includes a flagship Universal Studios Store — the largest merchandise outlet at the resort — alongside branded shops for key IPs and independent retail concepts. Bedford's CityWalk will almost certainly feature a massive Universal store selling park-exclusive merchandise, clothing, and collectibles.
Additional retail could include a dedicated Harry Potter shop (separate from those within the park), a Nintendo-themed store, and boutiques selling British-made products. The retail experience at CityWalk is designed to be browsable and entertaining in its own right, with themed interiors and unique product ranges that make shopping feel like an extension of the park experience.
CityWalk transforms after dark, becoming a lively entertainment district with live music venues, bars, and clubs. Universal Orlando's CityWalk hosts concerts at the Hard Rock Live venue, comedy shows at the CityWalk Comedy Club, and regular DJ sets at its bars and restaurants. Bedford could replicate this model with a live music venue, a comedy club featuring touring comedians, and themed bars that offer cocktails inspired by Universal's IPs.
A multiplex cinema is another likely addition, potentially operated by a major UK chain and featuring premium screens, IMAX, and private screening rooms. For families, entertainment options might include a themed mini-golf course, an arcade, and interactive experiences that extend the park's IP into CityWalk.
One of CityWalk's most important features is that it is free to access. No theme park ticket is required to visit CityWalk's restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. This openness makes CityWalk accessible to local residents, hotel guests who are not visiting the park that day, and visitors who simply want to enjoy the atmosphere. For Bedford, this means CityWalk will function as a year-round entertainment destination for the Bedfordshire community, generating economic activity and employment regardless of theme park attendance on any given day.
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