The UK’s Tallest and Fastest Rollercoaster: Hyperia at Thorpe Park
AS the UK’s newest rollercoaster, Thorpe Park’s Hyperia, has a lot to live up to. Standing at a whopping 236ft tall, the hypercoaster claims to be the UK’s tallest, swiping the crown from Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s The Big One on its 30th anniversary year, which stands just one foot shorter.
Hyperia: The Tallest Rollercoaster in the UK
It also smashes coaster speed records, reaching break-neck speeds of 81mph. That’s just 1mph faster than Thorpe Park’s very own Stealth ride, which currently holds the title of the UK’s fastest. One thing’s for sure: Hyperia has been massively hyped for the past year, promising to give thrill seekers an experience like nothing else in the UK.
Testing Out Hyperia at Thorpe Park
I attended a glitzy VIP preview event to celebrate the coaster’s launch last night, where a select few were invited to test ride before it opens to the public today. Expectations were high. So what’s it really like to ride, and does it live up to its promises? I rode the rollercoaster three times to find out.
A Thrilling Experience Unlike Any Other
First impressions: it’s unlike any other rollercoaster in the UK right now. As someone who has ridden the most intense coasters the UK has to offer, such as Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and The Smiler and Nemesis at Alton Towers, I know that’s saying something. In fact, Hyperia is made by the same manufacturer as Icon, Mac Rides, but is a much different experience.
The Unique Elements of Hyperia
It’s no surprise that the first drop is what really steals the show on this rollercoaster. While it’s the tallest in the country, it’s unique in that it twists riders 180 degrees while they plummet down a huge vertical drop right before reaching the ground at top speeds of over 80mph.
The Ultimate Thrill Ride
Despite this, it’s an incredible ride that will make you want to ride it again and again. It’s certainly a coaster that can compete with some of the best in Europe and is easily, in my experience, the best the UK has to offer. Hyperia is open now for everyone to ride, but expect big queues for the next few weeks.