When it comes to rides and rollercoasters, we like to think we know a thing or two about what makes a good one. We’re talking beyond-vertical drops and double-digit inversions, combined with storylines that’ll have you on the edge of your seat. Not literally, of course – you’ll be strapped in.
Seen as we’re the experts, we’ve done an official ranking of the scariest rides in the UK. Add these to your hit list if you’re after a fright or, if you’re planning on fibbing to your mates about your daredevil creds, this should help make sure you’re convincing. We promise we won’t tell.
Without further a-do, let's find out which is the scariest ride in the UK.
Legend has it (and by ‘legend’ we mean the Alton Towers website), workers digging at the park disturbed a huge sleeping monster that began to wreak havoc on the area so this 250-tonne steel contraption was built to keep it imprisoned. If that’s not enough to get your pulse racing, stats like 50mph speed, 4 inversions and 3.5 G-Force, or the notorious underground tunnel with a river of blood, will.
Another one of Alton Tower’s most ferocious beasts, The Smiler flips the script on its misleading name. The ride boasts a 53mph top speed, 4.5 G-Force, 14 loops and a huge 1,170m track length. And the story behind this one? Apparently, the special effects of The Inoculator, The Tickler, The Flasher, The Giggler and The Hypnotiser bend your mind in so many ways that you’ll be left with a twisted grin on your face. This one definitely has the scariest rollercoaster effects - we reckon a 10-minute sit-down is needed to recover after riding The Smiler.
Ah, the mighty Colossus. The world’s first ten-loop rollercoaster, slap bang in the middle of Thorpe Park’s Lost City. These aren’t your standard inversions either – try your luck with a double corkscrew, vertical loop, cobra roll and the UK’s only quadruple barrel roll. Oh, it’s also 98ft high and goes at 44mph. You know, in case that didn’t sound exciting enough for you.
Apparently, Beornen (a mysterious cult living in the woods nearby) built this one with hopes of returning the world to a simpler way of life. The wooden rollercoaster has a rickety old works train which definitely adds to its fear factor. Not convinced? Give the three drops, two tunnels and three passes through the Wicker Man a go (at 44mph no less) and then tell us you’re not spooked.
As the world’s first horror movie-themed rollercoaster, SAW – The Ride had to take the top spot. The ride’s giant rotating blands, razor-sharp swinging pendulums and spiky floors are nothing compared to the beyond vertical drop (100 degrees, from a height of 100ft). If you’re a fan of the movies, there’s plenty of references to look out for throughout the ride. If you haven’t seen them yet, we wish you good luck. This one is down as the UK's scariest coaster in our books.
At Days Out, you can book the UK’s best attractions (y’know the proper FOMO inducing ones?) -- we know where’s perfect for you. Find your next adventure.
