For decades, British coaster fans had to cross the Channel for a true hyper coaster. That changed on May 24, 2024, when Thorpe Park opened Hyperia, a 236-foot Mack Rides machine that became the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the United Kingdom.
It isn’t a traditional airtime-hills-only hyper coaster. It packs two inversions and a world-first outer-banked airtime hill into a compact layout. Here are Hyperia’s stats, the records it holds, what the ride is like and how to plan a visit.
Quick Answer
Hyperia at Thorpe Park (Chertsey, Surrey) is 236 feet (72 m) tall and reaches 81 mph (130 km/h) according to the park. That makes it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the UK. It has two inversions and 995.4 metres (3,266 ft) of track. Riders must be at least 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in) tall.
Hyperia Key Stats
- Height: 236 ft (72 m)
- Top speed: 81 mph (130 km/h), as quoted by Thorpe Park. Some references round it to 80 mph.
- Track length: 995.4 m (3,266 ft), the longest coaster at Thorpe Park
- First drop: a vertical 90-degree drop, with a 180-degree turn as you fall
- Inversions: 2 (a downward-dropping barrel roll and a stalled dive loop)
- Highest loop: 168 ft, billed by the park as Europe’s tallest
- Airtime: 14.8 seconds of weightlessness, according to the park
- Peak G-force: 4.3 (park figure)
- Height requirement: 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in)
- Trains: 2 trains, 5 cars each, 20 riders per train, two across in two rows
- Capacity: about 1,000 riders per hour
- Restraint: lap bar
- Manufacturer: Mack Rides (Hyper Coaster model)
- Opened: May 24, 2024, in the Fearless Valley area
Is Hyperia the Tallest and Fastest Coaster in the UK?
Yes. At 236 feet, Hyperia beat the previous UK height record holder, The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (213 ft), by 23 feet.
On speed, Hyperia’s 81 mph edges past Thorpe Park’s own Stealth, which is listed at 80 mph (129 km/h). Stealth had been the UK’s fastest coaster since 2006. The margin is slim, so speed is the less clear-cut of the two records. Stealth keeps its own distinction as one of the fastest-accelerating coasters in the world, going from 0 to 80 mph in under two seconds.
Globally, Hyperia is a big coaster but not a record breaker. Compare it with our lists of the tallest coasters in the world and the fastest coasters in the world. Its reputation rests on how much it packs into the ride, not on raw numbers.
Hyperia’s Height Requirement
The minimum height is 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in). That is higher than at many of the park’s family rides, so measure children before you queue. Thorpe Park classes Hyperia as an “Intense Thrills” ride, and the lap bar and open seating suit riders who are comfortable with strong airtime. Check the ride page on the official site before your visit in case the rules change.
The Ride Experience: Layout and Elements
After the 236-foot climb, the train drops vertically toward the lake while turning through 180 degrees, so you fall and twist at once. The layout then moves quickly through the following elements:
- An outer-banked airtime hill, which the park bills as a world first
- A large Immelmann-style element
- A downward-dropping barrel roll (inversion one)
- A stalled dive loop (inversion two), where the train seems to hang before it drops
- A splashdown effect near the end, then trim brakes
Many hyper coasters rely on long airtime hills. Hyperia instead stacks elements close together, with fewer pauses and more hang time upside down. Reviewers generally rate the first three-quarters of the ride highly, while some say the braking near the end makes it feel short. The low-slung Mack trains, with only a lap bar over your thighs, add to the exposed feeling.
Planning Your Visit
Hyperia is in the Fearless Valley area, in the back corner of the park near Samurai and Colossus. Thorpe Park is in Chertsey, Surrey, and is normally reached by car or by rail to Staines or Chertsey followed by a bus or taxi. Check current travel options before you go.
Tickets follow a familiar pattern. Booking online in advance is usually cheaper than paying at the gate, and prices vary by date, with peak school holidays and weekends costing more. Children under 1.2 m enter free with a paying adult, which does not mean they can ride Hyperia. Paid Fastrack add-ons let you skip the standard queue on busy days, and overnight stay packages are also sold. The park’s site lists day tickets from around £32 when bought in advance, but prices change often.
Opening hours vary through the year. The park is open most days in the main season, with shorter hours and fewer days outside it. For the current opening times, ticket prices and Fastrack options, check the official Thorpe Park website before you go.
Visiting Tips
Hyperia has been one of the park’s busiest rides since opening. Ride it first thing at opening or late in the day, or consider Fastrack on a busy day. There is also a single-rider queue, which can cut your wait if you don’t mind being seated apart from your group.
It is a tall, exposed structure, so it may close in high winds or bad weather. Have a back-up plan and return later in the day. The ride also had a difficult first month, with several closures after opening, so ask staff or check the park’s app for whether it is running.
Seat choice matters. The front gets the view and the wind. The back of the train gets whipped over the first drop with stronger airtime. Reviewers have also noted that the two trains can ride differently, so it is worth riding more than once.
Photos
Hyperia at Thorpe Park FAQs
How tall and fast is Hyperia?
Hyperia stands 236 feet (72 meters) tall and reaches 81 mph (130 km/h), according to Thorpe Park. That makes it the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the UK.
Does Hyperia go upside down?
Yes. Hyperia has two inversions, a downward-dropping barrel roll and a stalled dive loop. That is unusual for a hyper coaster.
What is the height limit for Hyperia?
The minimum height to ride Hyperia is 1.3 m (4 ft 3 in). Check the official Thorpe Park site for current rules.
When did Hyperia open?
Hyperia opened to the public on May 24, 2024, at Thorpe Park in Surrey, England. It replaced the Loggers Leap and Rocky Express rides.
How long is Hyperia’s track?
The track is 995.4 metres (3,266 feet) long, the longest coaster at Thorpe Park.
Is Hyperia faster than Stealth?
Marginally. Hyperia is quoted at 81 mph and Stealth at 80 mph, so Hyperia took over as the UK’s fastest coaster when it opened. Stealth still accelerates faster off the launch.
Who built Hyperia?
Mack Rides, the German manufacturer, built Hyperia as one of its Hyper Coaster models.
What is the first drop like?
The first drop is a vertical 90-degree drop that also turns through 180 degrees as the train falls toward the lake.
Is Hyperia the tallest coaster in the world?
No. It is the tallest in the UK, but several coasters worldwide are much taller. See our list of the tallest roller coasters in the world.
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