THORPE PARK GUIDE – ENGLAND, UK

Thorpe Park is one of the top-rated theme parks in the UK and Europe, offering over 30 amazing rides and attractions, with some of the best thrill rides around. This Thorpe Park Guide has everything you need to know before you visit Thorpe Park, London.

Thorpe Park is a popular theme park in England, undergoing many expansions since it first opened in 1979. Around 2 million guests visit the Merlin Entertainments ran park, even though the park only operates between mid-March to Early November. 

When planning your day, you will want to research the park first and make a plan for which rides you want to try before arriving. As with all theme parks, the best rides have the longest queues so use this guide to be strategic with your park planning. 

Getting to Thorpe Park

There are a few different ways to get to Thorpe Park, depending on where you are coming from and which transport you opt for:

Thorpe Park directions: If you are driving to Thorpe Park, you will need to use the Thorpe Park postcode – KT16 8PN on a SatNav to get here easily. Some Sat Navs may lead you to Norlands Lane so keep an eye our for coaster trackers to find the main entrance on Staines Road. 

Thorpe Park address: 

THORPE PARK Resort
Staines Road
Chertsey
Surrey
KT16 8PN

It is worth noting that you can book your car parking reservation online for £7 for the day here or pay £8 on the day.

Driving from London to Thorpe Park, head along the M25, taking junctions 11 or 13 to follow A320 to Thorpe Park. 

Thorpe Park from London via train: You can catch a 38-minute train from Waterloo Station to Staines, where you can catch an express bus that will take you straight to the park. Trains from from Waterloo Station every 10-15 minutes whilst the bus to Thorpe Park operates every 15-20 minutes. 

Best time to visit Thorpe Park

• April and May are the best time to visit Thorpe Park because the weather is starting to warm up but children are in school (check the school holidays and aim for a weekday too). 
• October is a great time if you are interested in visiting the Fright Night events
• June is a warmer month but expect school groups
• Summer is the busiest time but also the warmest time

Avoid weekends and holidays when possible. 

Thorpe Park opening times 

Thorpe Park is not open every day of the year but generally runs from the end of March through to the start of November. The park tends to be open from 10am to 6pm, with some days the park closing at 5pm, depending on time of the year and day of the week. Fright Night events run until 10pm most nights in October. Check dates online before your visit. 

Thorpe Park packing list

When visiting Thorpe Park, there are a few things we recommend you take with you:

• Poncho – we love these tiny poncho keyrings that can be used on wet rides but also if the heavens open.
• Comfortable shoes – we can’t stress this enough, comfortable shoes are essential during long days in the park 
• Shorts or leggings over jeans – there are lots fo wet rides in Thorpe Park and jeans are a nightmare to get dry. Opt for cotton items which will dry quicker. 
• Swimwear – bring swimwear and a towel for the water rides especially during the hot weather.
• Sun lotion – if you are visiting during the summer months, bring sun protection to avoid getting burnt during your long busy day. 
• Portable Power bank – keep your phone battery alive with a portable power bank; batteries drain quickly during the long queue waits and photo taking. 
• Camera – a smartphone camera is fine for this part but some rides allow action cameras such as GoPro’s or the Osmo Action on the ride itself. 
• Sanitiser or baby wipes – make sure to bring some sanitiser or baby wipes to clean your hands throughout the day. 
• Spare socks – with some wet rides around the park, it is a good idea to bring some spare socks. No one wants set socks rubbing against their feet all day.
• Hat or cap – If it is warm weather, you will want to bring along a hat. There are places to put these when on the more adventurous rides but it will keep you from getting sunstroke on your day out. 

Thorpe Park rides

There are 27 rides at Thorpe Park; 7 of which are rollercoasters. There are rides that cater for all ages but the park is definitely better for those aged 12 or above. Major attractions such as Saw, The Swarm, Derren Brown’s Ghost Train and The Walking Dead were made with adults, horror fans and thrill-seekers in mind. 

The best rides at Thorpe Park

• Nemesis Inferno takes you through a safari and volcano on this popular, if not best, coaster at Thorpe Park. 
• The Swarm is not for the faint-hearted and is a close favourite with Nemesis inferno. Expect to be thrown around in circles on inversions and loops whilst speeding along the track.
• Saw – The Ride is a rollercoaster themed on the Saw movies, including a beyond vertical drop and 3 inversions. 
• Stealth takes you from 0 to 80mph in less than 2 seconds and is one of the most popular rides in the park. 
• Derren Brown’s Ghost train is a mind-bending, haunting experience, designed to have you questioning what you have seen. The ride is full of illusions, virtual reality and special effects making it a must for thrill-seekers. 
• The Walking Dead: The Ride is a themed coaster which immerses you into the TV show in this dark ride. 
• Tidal Wave is one of the wettest water rides in the world, this is the perfect ride for a hot summer’s day with riders experiencing a shower of water which is equivalent to almost 3 bathtubs of water. 

Other awesome thrill rides:

• Samurai pushes and pulls you forward and backwards in your chair as it spins you in circles. 
• Rush swings you forward and back, 20 metres in the air.
• Colossus is the world’s first 10 inversion roller coaster, leaving you in a dizzy haze by the end of it.
• Detonator drops you from 100ft at 50mph; don’t ride this one on a full stomach. 
• Vortex will spin you around a lot whilst swinging you around from side to side. 
• Zodiac is another spinning ride that turns you upside down over and over again. 

Thorpe Park Family rides: 

• Angry Birds 4D Experience immerses the family into a fun narrative based on those famous birds. 
• King Pigs Wild Hog Dodgems is your typical bumpers ride. 
• Storm Surge is a little scarier, with a spinning raft moving you’re through the water ride. 
• Quantum is a magic carpet ride that swoops you forward and back through the air. 
• Depth Charge is the uptime super slide
• Rumba Rapids is another wet ride which crashes you through rapids. 
• Storm in a teacup – a classic teacup ride

Thorpe Park kids rides: 

• Timber Tug Boat is a small boat journey with a few twists and turns
• Lumber Jump bounces you up and down in a spring-like motion
• Flying Fish is a rollercoaster designed for those above 90cm
• Mr Monkey’s Banana ride swings passengers back and forth
• Rocky Express is another fast ride for youngsters

Important ride restrictions:

• Minimum Height 1.4m – The Walking Dead: The Ride, Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, SAW – The Ride, Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, Samurai, Stealth, Vortex, The Swarm
• Minimum Height 1.3m – Detonator: Bombs Away, Rush
• Minimum Height 1.2m – Tidal Wave, Quantum
• Minimum Height 1.1m – Storm Surge, King Pig’s Wild Hog Dodgems, Storm in a Teacup
• Minimum Height 0.9m – Zodiac, Rumba Rapids, Flying Fish, Depth Charge, Mr Monkey’s Banana Ride, Storm in a Teacup, Rocky Express, Timber Tug Boat, Lumber Jump

Best Thorpe Park Attraction

• Jungle Escape is a separately ticketed experience but offers a thrilling escape room for those brave visitors looking to face the huntsman. 
• Wet Wet Wet is a water area with slides for the whole family.
• Amity Beach is made exclusively for families with young children, looking to relax and splash around in the Wet Wet Wet play area. 

Thorpe Park restaurants

There are many restaurants outlets around the park to eat in, with many offering vegetarian and healthy options too:

• Calamity Kebabs = kebabs, Mediterranean chicken and lamb shish. 
• Inferno’s Pizza and Pasta in The Jungle = all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta buffet with unlimited salad bar and soft drinks
• Infinity Bar and Kitchen = serves gastropub inspired dishes such as burgers and cod and chips
• Sombrero’s Burrito Bar in The Jungle = Mexican inspired food including nachos and burritos as well as frozen margaritas
• Amity Fish and Chips in Amity = fish and chips as you would expect
• The Cantina = street food flavours from around the world
• Wilderness Bar & Kitchen = serves hotdogs and burgers as well as loaded fries and nachos. 
• The Huntsman’s Arms = grab a pint whilst you take a break. Food is available from nearby Wilderness Bar and Kitchen. 
• Peckish = simple but delicious jacket potatoes
• Burger King in Old Town and The Jungle
• KFC in Amity

Thorpe Park snack stops:

• The Coffee Shack = Costa coffee and tasty panini
• Amity Donut Bites
• Hotdog Hut
• Nitrogenie = watch ice cream being frozen in front of you
• Donut Factory
• Wilderness Waffles

Thorpe Park events 

Thorpe Park hosts various events throughout the year with their most popular being the Thorpe Park Fright Night. 

Thorpe Park Fright Night

This event is held during the Halloween season throughout October. The park offers scare zones with live actors and several horror mazes and houses. 

Ministry of South at Thorpe Park

This nighttime event occurs throughout the year, with the Ministry of Sound DJ’s blasting songs through the park from 8 pm to 3 am. Rides are open as you party and ride in a unique atmosphere. 

Thorpe Park tips and tricks

• Bring spare clothes if you plan on riding any of the wet rides or take advantage of the heating machines around the park.
• Bring zip lock sandwich bags for your electronics and wallet whilst on the wet rides. Also, it is worth changing into flip flops for these rides.
• Remember to wear comfortable shoes during your day at the park.
• Arrive for opening to make the most out of your day and head to the most popular rides first; SAW and Nemesis Inferno are good options to start with then work your way forward. 
• Bring a water bottle and refill up throughout the day. 
• Stop for lunch at around 3-4pm; restaurants are quieter at this time but also the park queue times are shorter during lunch time too, so it is win win. 
• Bring snacks or a picnic with you to avoid spending extra cash and have your own choice of food too.
• Choose your must-ride rides before visiting and plan your day accordingly. 
• Buy your ticket before arriving at the park to save money and time.
• Take a picture of where you have parked and pay for parking either online or at the start of the day to avoid queues at the end of the day. 
• Bring a portable power bank to keep your phone charged during a busy, long day. 
• Food and drink are not allowed on rides but can be eaten in the queue, so eat whilst you wait if you want to make the most out of your day. 
• Queue lines close at the advertised park closing time so join a queue at the last minute to sneak in one more ride. 
• Bring layers; even on a warm day you should still expect rain so pack a foldable poncho and bring layers in case it gets chilly in the afternoon. 
• Children can be given a wristband from Guest Services on the lower level of Port & Basecamp (the dome), with your contact details on, should they be found unaccompanied. 
• If you are visiting with friends, agree on a meeting place in case you get separated. 
• Save the gift stores until the end of your day to avoid having to carry items around all day. Stores are in the Lost City, The Jungle and Amity. 
• Try to do the wet rides in the morning so that you have plenty of time to try out in the warm sun before heading home. No one wants a journey home in wet jeans. 
• Ride photos are available for most rides and you can ask for the photo to be taken to the collection point near the exit to avoid having to carry it around yourself. 
• There are lockers around the park, these are great to store a change of clothes or any bulky items you don’t want to take onto rides with you. 
• Bring cash with you, you can use cards in the park but the ATM’s charge for withdrawal if you do want cash. 
• Look for the electronic boards around the park, these will display the queue times for many of the rides. 
• Parent swap is also available for families with small children, meaning one parent can wait with the child as the other parent rides and then they can switch. 
• Single rider queue will help you beat some of the queues and is available on Vortex, Samurai and Flying fish. 
• Download the Thorpe Park App to navigate yourself around the park and check the up-to-date queue times. 
• Once in the park, look for ‘The Cloud’ on your phone settings to enjoy free Thorpe Park Wifi. 

Thorpe Park tickets

Thorpe Park tickets are available online from £33 whilst on the day tickets cost £55; the same price as a season pass. 

Thorpe Park Annual Pass – The annual or season pass costs just £55 (the same price if you pay for a day ticket on arrival). Not only does it cover your entrance for the season but you can also use the “bring a friend for less” tickets on selected days. However, it is worth noting that this is not an annual pass but a season pass, meaning all tickets are valid up until the 1st November. So, if you purchases your season pass in August, it would only be valid for a few months, rather than a whole year. 

Thorpe Park Premium Season Pass – Another option is the premium season pass which includes unlimited access throughout the summer (whereas the annual pass includes block out days), car parking all season long and 6 date of Fright Nights entry. Plus, you get the free resort DigiPass, meaning you get unlimited photos from your days out and 20% of stays in the Thorpe Shark Hotel. These passes cost £85 per person. 

VIP experiences are also available to book in advance.

Thorpe Park Fastrack

Thorpe Park also offer fastrack options for those who want to beat the queues on their favourite rides. Thorpe Park offer unlimited fastrack for all rides and coasters for £70 a day. However, if you wish to spend less, they are two alternatives:

Exhilarate Fastrack – Mix and Match – 5 fastrack rides of your choice from the following rides: Samurai, Vortex, Rush, Rumba Rapids, Storm Surge & Tidal Wave

Adrenaline Fastrack – Mix and Match – 5 Fastrack rides choosing from Colossus, Nemesis Inferno, The Swarm, Stealth, SAW – The Ride & The Walking Dead: The Ride. 

Thorpe Park Hotel

Thorpe Shark Hotel is the only park at the theme park and is inside the park itself, meaning guests must enter the park before they can reach the entrance. The location is perfect for those wanting to enjoy a day at the park but also be able to pop back to your room for a little while during the day. 

A few Thorpe Shark perks:

• Hotel guests are also able to enjoy unlimited fastrack before 11am. 
• 2 day theme park entry is included in your package
• Breakfast is included
• Free car parking
• Free WiFi
• 10% off retail, food and drinks
• Compact, comfy cabins with funky lighting

Hotels near Thorpe Park

Other than the resort’s hotel, there are other hotels in the Chertsey area that you can stay in whilst visiting the theme park. 

• Fornham Guest House offers comfortable rooms with free parking, with rooms starting at £70 a night.
• The Bridge Hotel offers wonderful views over the river nearby and is perfect for couples. The hotel is also not far from Legoland, Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace if you wish to take an extended trip. Rooms start from £99 a night.
• The Swan Hotel is a Victorian inn with home-cooked food and comfortable rooms. Breakfast is included and prices start at £155. 
• April House Weybridge is a highly rated B&B, located near shops, cafes, restaurants and bars with rooms starting at £110 a night. 
• Coworth Park is a superior hotel in Ascot and is a great choice for those looking for special experience and splurge; rooms start around £400 a night. 

The following hotels offer Thorpe Park packages which allow you to get your second day park entrance included: 

• Berkshire Rooms 
• De Vere Beaumont Estate
• DoubleTree by Hilton Woking
• Heathrow Premier Inn
• Hilton Bracknell
• Hilton Cobham

Thorpe Park deals

There are some deals available when you are purchasing your Thorpe Park tickets:

2FOR1 deal – Days Out offer a 2FOR1 deal on Thorpe Park tickets for those that arrive via the train. Pick ups leader at a rail station, fill in the details on the voucher and present your voucher and train ticket when purchasing your ticket. 

Thorpe Park group deals – Groups of 7 or more are eligible for discounted ticket price of £32 when booking online, with the tickets costing £31 with groups of 10 or more.  Youth groups can purchase tickets for £22 with free leader tickets available. 

Student Discount is available for those with a valid UNIDAYS or NUS card when booking online. You will also need to show this card when collecting tickets. 

Daily Mail Thorpe Park deals – Throughout the year, deals are available with the Daily Mail newspaper with details included on their website.

Merlin Pass – If you enjoy visiting theme parks and attractions, the Merlin pass includes Thorpe Park as well as other theme parks in the UK and attractions such as Madame Tussauds and Sealife Aquariums around the country. 

We hope you have an amazing time at Thorpe Park, let us know what your favourite ride is in the comments below.

P.S. Yes, this is the theme park that makes an appearance in the popular TV programme The Inbetweeners.