Some folks’ idea of fun is hurtling along a cold steel track above the motorway speed limit – teeth rattling, stomach somersaulting, involuntarily screaming “mummy” at the ripe old age of 55. Who are we to judge?
If you’re one of them, you’re the latest in a long line of thrill seekers. Pub quiz fact: the first modern rollercoasters appeared in early 19th century Paris, where sleds were run over wooden rollers (hence the name).
But enough trivia. You’re here to find out about the top five fastest rollercoasters in the UK, right?
Thorpe Park’s Stealth reaches close to 80mph, faster than you can say [redacted] - in 1.9 seconds to be exact. It’s not the fastest ride in the world (Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in the US hits 128mph, gulp), but it’s definitely got the acceleration power to turn your face to putty, as your ride photos will prove.
A word to the wise, don’t try and recreate your Stealth experience on your journey home. Speed limits are there for a reason, guys.
1994 was a big year. The Lion King was released in cinemas, Harry Styles was born, and Blackpool Pleasure Beach unveiled The Big One.
At the time, it was the fastest, tallest and steepest coaster in the world and while it has lost that title, it’s held onto the top spot as the UK’s tallest and is the country’s second fastest. One thing we are sure of – that first drop still feels pretty darn fierce.
When you call a ride ‘Oblivion’, you better make sure it lives up to its name.
Luckily, that’s no problem with the world’s first vertical drop rollercoaster. The iconic plunge is 180ft and puts your body through 4.5G, giving you the type of temporary facelift Tom Cruise would give his front teeth for.
Oh, that’s also in the elite company of Britain’s highest G-Force rollercoasters, we’ll have you know.
Hands down, Odyssey is the best fun you can have in Skegness for a fiver. 167ft high, 2924ft long and with a head-spinning 124ft vertical loop, this bright yellow gut wrencher twists you through inversion after inversion at eye-popping, heart-stopping speeds.
Fun fact – it’s officially called ‘The Jubilee Odyssey’ after the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.
No – Rita isn’t the lovely lady that does hot dogs at Alton Towers (that’s Beryl).
This mild-sounding ride actually hurtles you from 0-61 mph in 2.5 seconds, driving your body through 4.7G in the process down 637m of track. It’s a short, sharp trip through the Dark Forest that you won’t forget in a hurry. No matter how hard you try.
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.
