When King Writes

What’s in here?
The Halloween Experience
My Favorite Rides
Disappointing Attractions
More Things I Like About Thorpe Park
Food and Drinks
Getting to Thorpe Park
Tips for Maximizing Your Day
Thorpe Park vs. Alton Towers

I’ve been to London a few times and have checked off nearly all the must-visit tourist spots. So on my last visit, I wanted to switch things up a bit.

As a theme park lover and thrill-seeker, I set my sights on Chertsey, about 20 miles southwest of Central London, home to the adult-friendly Thorpe Park.

I had an amazing time and can’t wait to go back someday, especially since the park constantly adds new rides and attractions. But truth be told, I probably enjoyed it so much because I planned my trip down to the last detail. 

That said, if you’re thinking about spending a day (or two!) at Thorpe Park, consider this your ultimate guide—straight from someone who’s been there. 😊

The Halloween Experience

I visited Thorpe Park during Halloween, and let me tell you—I’m not a big fan of scary things and celebrating ghoulish tropes, but I have absolutely no regrets experiencing Thorpe Park during the spooky season! 

The park goes all out for this spooky time of year, transforming into a Halloween hotspot once the sun sets. Every detail was carefully curated to immerse visitors in the season, from eerie decorations to haunting soundtracks echoing through the park.

Come nighttime, we felt like we were stuck in a Halloween movie, with glowing lights and fog machines adding an extra layer of thrill.

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The events were equally impressive. Dancing devils brought an energetic, mischievous vibe to the streets, while the haunted maze was next-level creepy. The actors in the mazes were phenomenal, staying in character no matter how many times we screamed, laughed, and nervously tried to sneak past them.

But my favorite part? Honestly, the extended hours. 😅 The park stayed open late, giving us just enough time to hop on two more rides. As a thrill-seeker, that extra time felt like a gift, allowing us to pack even more adrenaline into our visit.

So, yeah, if you want to enjoy the park a little longer than usual, I highly recommend visiting during the holidays. The extended hours are perfect for squeezing in extra thrills and making the most of the ticket price. 💸

My Favorite Rides

Out of the 12 rides I experienced—plus the Scare Maze and the Black Mirror experience—these are my top five as a thrill-seeker.

But before we dive in, let me just say: the only reason I managed to pack in a dozen rides, a Halloween Maze, and the Black Mirror experience was because of some serious pre-trip planning. We made sure to arrive right when the park opened, and we went on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.

Okay, now here’s my top five rides in Thorpe Park:

Stealth: The U.K.’s fastest launch coaster. Quick but heartstopping—pure adrenaline!

The Swarm: The setting for this ride is very much like a high-budget apocalyptic movie. The experience starts at the entrance. You’ll know when you get there. 😉

The Walking Dead – The Ride: This indoor roller coaster experience packs a ton of excitement, especially for fans of The Walking Dead.

SAW – The Ride: A horror movie-themed roller coaster? Enough said! Fans of the SAW franchise will appreciate the eerie vibes, but even if you’re not into horror, the twists and turns make it a must-ride.

Tidal Wave: One of Europe’s tallest water rides! Expect to get wet.

New ride alert: Hyperia 

Currently the U.K.’s tallest and fastest roller coaster! Lines are longest here because it’s new so do this one first thing in the morning.

Disappointing Attractions

It’s honestly so hard to choose my top five favorite rides because almost all of them are fantastic for thrill-seekers. Thorpe Park really delivers when it comes to adrenaline-pumping experiences. That said, like any theme park, there are a few rides that didn’t quite live up to the hype.

Ghost Train: This one was, frankly, a letdown. It was unnecessarily long and boring asf. We regretted spending our time here instead of other Halloween attractions. While the actors were great and stayed in character, the whole thing felt more like a staged performance than an immersive, scary experience. It lacked the spooky intensity we were expecting, and honestly, I almost took a nap.

Black Mirror: Not as disappointing as Ghost Train, but still underwhelming considering how it was marketed. It was supposed to be as mind-bending as the Black Mirror series, but the most exciting part was the mirror maze—where we had to escape through pulsing lights and momentary darkness. That said, the storyline was pretty cool and added some intrigue to the experience.

What Else I Like About Thorpe Park

Aside from the thrilling rides and attractions, one of my favorite things about Thorpe Park is its size. It’s not overwhelmingly huge, but it’s far from small—just the right size for an adventurous day out. Plus, the rides are close enough to each other that you’re not wasting time trekking across the park to get to the next thrill.

The park’s layout is super manageable. There are maps everywhere, so even if you feel a bit disoriented, it’s easy to find your way. The trails are intuitive, and helpful signs point you toward popular attractions.

Another thing I love, of course, is the merch! Thorpe Park has clearly put a lot of thought into its souvenirs. Almost every ride has its own store with unique items, so you’ll find things in The Swarm’s shop you won’t see anywhere else. Since I’ve started collecting fridge magnets (yes, it’s my thing now), I couldn’t resist picking up a few cool ones from the rides. 😅

And when it’s time to take a breather, the park has plenty of green spaces, benches, and tables scattered strategically around. For lunch, we ate on the grass under a massive tree, people-watching and soaking in the relaxed vibe. It’s these thoughtful touches—dedicated spaces for greenery and relaxation—that give Thorpe Park a sense of chill in the midst of all the thrill.

Food and Drinks

Thorpe Park’s food scene doesn’t boast a ton of international flavors, but it does have a decent selection of classic theme park bites and some recognizable chains.

For lunch, we grabbed hot dogs and Cajun fries from Boulevard Bites. They were pretty tasty, and we enjoyed them at a nearby picnic table while watching one of the roller coasters zoom past.

For a quick dinner, we opted for Burger King because it had the shortest line, which meant more time to squeeze in a few last rides before closing. Plus, I’d never tried Burger King in the U.K., and I was curious to see if it tasted any different from elsewhere. The verdict? Not much different! 🙂

The park’s restaurants are scattered throughout, but there’s a dome tent with tables where many food carts are located. We stopped there for a hot cuppa when the evening chill started to creep in.

Food Policy: Thorpe Park allows you to bring your own food and drinks, though alcohol is, obviously, not permitted. If you’re carrying a water bottle, you’ll find refill stations throughout the park and in the restaurants.

Getting to Thorpe Park

I’m not much help if you’re looking for advice on commuting from London to Thorpe Park, Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN. I just booked an Uber. 😅

It was my plan all along because I wanted to arrive early and completely stress-free. If you’re like me and value convenience over savings, an Uber or taxi is a great option. It’s direct, comfortable, and saves a ton of time compared to public transportation. Just make sure to budget for it, as it’s definitely pricier than the bus or train.

That said, if you’re considering public transport, Thorpe Park is still accessible. From London, you can take a train to Staines Station, and from there, hop on a shuttle bus to the park. It’ll take a bit longer, but it’s more budget-friendly.

No matter how you choose to get there, I recommend planning to arrive as early as possible. The earlier you get there, the more you’ll get out of your day.

Tips for Maximizing Your Day

Arrive early: Aim to get to the park just before it opens because the inspection lines at the entrance can get pretty long.

Pack light: It’s no fun hauling a heavy bag while running between rides. Alternatively, utilize the park’s lockers if you need to bring extra stuff.

Sunscreen: Didn’t bring one? No worries. Thorpe Park offers free SPF 30 sun creams throughout the park.

Hit the popular rides first: If you’ve already got a list of must-try rides, and I highly recommend you have one, prioritize the most thrilling ones in the morning before the lines start building up.

Work backward: Most visitors tend to start with the rides closest to the entrance. Be a rebel—head straight to the back of the park and work your way forward. You’ll likely encounter shorter lines this way.

Buy souvenirs later: Save your shopping for the end of the day to avoid carrying bags while hopping around the park.

Thorpe Park vs. Alton Towers

Thorpe Park and Alton Towers are two of England’s most popular theme parks, but they cater to slightly different crowds.

Thorpe Park is supposedly the most thrilling theme park in the U.K., packed with high-octane roller coasters and intense rides. That said, it’s not the best choice if you’re traveling with little ones. The park’s focus on big, heart-pounding attractions means tots won’t have much to do, and you might spend more time trying to keep them entertained than enjoying the rides yourself.

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On the other hand, Alton Towers is perfect for families with kids who aren’t quite ready for Thorpe Park’s intense coasters. It features plenty of rides and activities designed for developing hearts and growing limbs—an excellent option for a family day out.

Final Thoughts

Thorpe Park definitely lives up to its title as the UK’s most thrilling theme park. It satisfied my craving for adrenaline without ever making me feel like I was gambling with my life on the rides haha!

We had an amazing time exploring the rides and attractions, especially since there are way more thrill rides than tame, “vanilla” ones. That said, as foodies, we did find ourselves wishing the park had a bit more variety when it came to food. Adding more stalls and international flavors would definitely elevate the dining experience.

All in all, if you’re a thrill-seeker looking for an action-packed day, Thorpe Park is absolutely worth a visit. 🎢