If you want to avoid crowds and long queues at Thorpe Park, take a close look at the weather forecast before booking tickets.
Optimal Weather Strategy for Visiting Thorpe Park
- Rainy days lead to shorter queues and smaller crowds.
- Brief rain spells are ideal for quick, quiet ride access.
- Lightly rainy forecasts offer the best balance of comfort and low attendance.
- Peak queues can be avoided by visiting during unsettled weather.
- Checking hourly forecasts boosts your chances of a smooth park experience.
That’s the short version. For more detail, read on. To buy tickets, head here.
The best time to visit Thorpe Park
The best time to visit Thorpe Park is when heavy rain is forecast.
To most people, this will sound like a ridiculous idea. But seasoned theme park fans will know it makes sense. And the key is to look at the weather forecast closely.
Thorpe Park ride queues
If you want to ride the likes of Hyperia, Stealth and the Swarm, you don’t want to spend most of your day in queues.
The Thorpe Park ride queues are at their longest during the school holidays, and on weekends. If you’re visiting this Surrey theme park with children, these times are difficult to avoid. But some days are much busier than others.
Theme parks in the rain?
Most people don’t like standing around or walking around a theme park in the rain. Therefore, if rain is forecast, they far less likely to buy tickets for Thorpe Park that day.
However, most people don’t go beyond the headlines of a weather forecast. They’ll look at the symbol on their phone – sunny, cloudy, rainy – and not delve into the hour-by-hour forecast.
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- 🚲 Combine landmarks, pubs and street art – on a guided bike tour.
- ⛴️ Take a sightseeing cruise along the Thames from Westminster to Greenwich.
What to look for in the Thorpe Park weather forecast
If you want to avoid the queues at Thorpe Park, the hour-by-hour weather forecast is your friend. Because sometimes the heavy rain that will put off most visitors only lasts for an hour or two.
The best day to visit Thorpe Park is one where heavy rain is forecast for a couple of hours. This will put most potential visitors off buying tickets, and deter them from turning up at the gates on a whim.
However, for most of the day, you’ll be able to walk around Thorpe Park in the dry, with limited queues for the rides.
If that’s the case for today or tomorrow, book your tickets now.
This theme park weather advice also applies for picking the right day to visit Alton Towers.
Things to do near Thorpe Park
- Visit Chertsey town centre. A short drive from Thorpe Park, Chertsey has riverside walks, cafés and historic buildings linked to its long history as a market town.
- Walk along the River Thames. The Thames Path near Chertsey and Staines offers flat, scenic walking routes that are easy to combine with a day at the park.
- Explore Runnymede. Around 5 miles away, Runnymede is where Magna Carta was sealed in 1215. The area includes memorials, open meadows and riverside paths.
- Visit Windsor Great Park. Approximately 7 miles from Thorpe Park, this large royal park in Windsor offers landscaped gardens, woodland walks and views towards Windsor Castle.
- Spend time in Staines-upon-Thames. Close to Thorpe Park, Staines has a riverside setting, shopping centre, restaurants and easy access to the Thames.
Thorpe Park FAQs
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Thorpe Park? | Thorpe Park is a large theme park in Surrey, best known for its high-adrenaline roller coasters and thrill rides. |
| Do I need to book Thorpe Park tickets in advance? | Booking Thorpe Park tickets in advance is recommended, as prices are usually lower online and entry can sell out on busy days. |
| How long should I allow for a visit? | Most visitors spend a full day at Thorpe Park to experience the major rides, shows and attractions. |
| Is Thorpe Park suitable for younger children? | Thorpe Park is primarily aimed at teenagers and adults, but there are some rides and attractions suitable for younger visitors. |
| Where is Thorpe Park located? | Thorpe Park is located near Chertsey in Surrey, to the southwest of London, and is accessible by road and public transport. |
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More London travel
Other London travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Visitor tips for going to the London Dungeon.
- A practical guide to visiting Kenwood House and the Freud Museum in Hampstead.
- A first time visitor’s guide to Kensington Palace.
- Plan your visit to the London Transport Museum.
- Visitor guide to the Tate Modern in London.
