It’s been a minute since I last shared a blog of this nature and the UK has accumulated a few more since. So, here are my top 10 UK rollercoasters. Of course, you may disagree and that’s cool.
10)) Mumbo Jumbo – Flamingo Land
It’s a coaster type which I have never done prior or since doing Mumbo Jumbo. Off-ride it looks like it’ll be a brutal experience however, it’s nothing short of pure terrifying but not painful. Those tiny lap and shoulder restraints almost feel the opposite of over the top. The restraints alone just make me unnerved. The steepness of the drops and bends are quite truly grim but so much joy too. The whole experience is so amiss from what I’ve done before and I found with each turn I was more and more apprehensive about the next. It’s a different and thrilling coaster that doesn’t quite resemble what you can find elsewhere in the UK at least.
9)) Icon – Blackpool Pleasure Beach
If you asked me back in 2018 it was a concrete 1-2 ranking but sadly the older I got the less I’m able to stomach the second half. Yet it is gorgeous off-ride. I love the gradual launching then the airtime at the top of the bunny hill and the area near the steeplechase makes you feel so good. However, hit the second launch into the winding finale and make me nauseous now. It’s a one-ride-and-done kind of gal nowadays. Nonetheless, we are blessed to have this in the UK.
8)) Thirteen – Alton Towers
Thirteen has always been that guilty pleasure of mine. I love the whole concept of the spooky vibes and the woods experience into the creepy building to then surprise drop. A nighttime ride back, in the end, was the icing on the cake in the thorough pitch-black in the woods. Daytime is spooky but nighttime is horror. I love the pops of airtime and the snaking of the tracks before the unique element which never fails to make me scream a little. It’s an all-around gem that doesn’t get the recognition it truly deserves.
7)) Speed – Oakwood
A Gerstlauer has cut and it’s the one over in Wales. Speed what a treat. I fully predicted the regular Gerst experience of mild pain. However, this just surprised me so much. It’s fairly slick and mind-blowing fierce. It’s so much fun and I do wish it was nearer to home.
6)) Stealth – Thorpe Park
An absolute beaut. I’m all here for the Amity-theming and the feel-good vibes alone. It does add that carefree feeling through your body when entering the plaza. You sit on the train watch the traffic lights change colour and bang you off. The speed feels 20x more than it is and the floating over-the-top hat slams into your seat before your body jerks into the brakes. It’s simple but truly everything. No matter what comes in the UK this will always remain somewhere in this list purely because it is extraordinary.
5)) Nemesis Reborn – Alton Towers
I’m quite painful this sits so low on my list really and it was difficult to put it at 5 as well. Nemesis is the OG version I cared for and enjoyed. This new track has almost thrown me a little. I completely adore the differences made enclosing the ride including the track colour. It’s brought so much more to the story and the area has come alive again. However, my ride on it was quite disappointing. There’s this unusual bounce towards the back end of the ride that gave me a rather bad backache. Therefore, it sits here but could easily be a tad bit lower but because of the further touches around the area, it’ll stay at 5.
4)) Kumali – Flamingo Land
A pleasant shock and it’s one of those SLCs that simply indicate how great they can be. The height of the damn thing is horrendous as it is with any kind of inverted rollercoaster that’s above 10ft. It’s smooth, and intense and overall packs all you look need from this type of coaster. Although two trains would very much be admired.
3)) Wickerman – Alton Towers:
Woodies are one of my favourite coaster types. I’ll never forget the moment of riding this for the first time and the way it left me feeling. I was speechless. The older it gets the better it gets with any wooden coaster. I’ve not rode itfor around a year now but my last ride was incredible. I love that roughness and the airtime pops. It’s brilliant.
2)) The Swarm – Thorpe Park
It’s just epic. The soundtrack, the entire area and the ride itself. I adore The Swarm always have done and always will. Again, there are two opportunities for riding and I love having that choice. They both have distinct starts to the ride experience you either go under or over first and that alone really shapes the thrill in that moment. During the later openings, there’s this additional thrill to it especially when the fire truck is working with that flame effect. Everything about The Swarm is almost flawless. Of course, I’m greedy and wish it had a few seconds more but truthfully I adore this coaster.
1)) Hyperia – Thorpe Park
There’s no question in my mind whether this sits at number 1 or not. It quite truthfully blew my mind. There’s so much going on in such a brief space of time and it’s all happening so fast. The height, the speed, and the characteristics are all so remarkable for the UK. This is a one-of-a-kind and it almost feels as if it doesn’t belong within the UK. The theming may be nothing to shout about but the ride experience alone just holds its own and doesn’t need a single thing to try and better it.
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What’s your favourite UK rollercoaster??
Thanks for reading & let’s talk again soon x
