UK's Best Rollercoaster: Stealth at Thorpe Park (2021 Public Vote)
Stealth: Britain's Most Thrilling Coaster
In a 2021 public poll (CoasterForce / RCDB community), Stealth at Thorpe Park (Surrey) was voted the UK's best rollercoaster.
🚀 Ride Specs
| Stat | Value |
|---|
| Type | Intamin Accelerator Coaster (hydraulic launch) |
| Height | 62.5 m (205 ft) |
| Max Speed | 128.7 km/h (80 mph) in 2.5 sec |
| Track Length | 400 m (1,312 ft) |
| Duration | ~30 seconds |
| G-Force | 4.5G (launch), -1.5G (airtime hill) |
| Trains | 2 × 5 cars (20 riders) |
| Opened | March 2006 |
🎢 The Experience
- Launch: 0–80 mph in 2.5 sec (fastest acceleration in UK). Hydraulic winch (20,000 hp).
- Top Hat: Vertical climb, twist, 205 ft peak — momentary weightlessness.
- Descent: 90° drop, brake run. Over in 30 sec.
🥈 Notable Contenders
- The Big One (Blackpool Pleasure Beach): 235 ft, 74 mph, 1994 — iconic, longer (1,670 m), but slower launch.
- Nemesis (Alton Towers): Inverted, terrain-hugging, intense forces — often ranked #1 by enthusiasts for design.
- The Smiler (Alton Towers): 14 inversions (world record), psychological theming.
- Wicker Man (Alton Towers): Wooden, fire-themed, immersive — best themed coaster.
- Hyperia (Thorpe Park, 2024): UK's tallest (236 ft), fastest (81 mph), first hypercoaster — too new for 2021 poll.
🎫 Visiting Stealth
- Park: Thorpe Park, Staines Rd, Chertsey KT16 8PN.
- Fastrack: £15–£30 (worth it — queue 60–120 min).
- Height Restriction: 1.4 m (4'7").
- Best Seat: Back row = max airtime on top hat.
Stealth is pure adrenaline distillation: launch, float, stop. No frills, no story — just physics at its most violent. That's why coaster fans crowned it.
Wanderlust World