What are the top 10 roller coasters in the UK? (2023)

Although Orlando can be considered the theme park capital of the world, there are many amazing roller coasters to ride here in the UK. With a variety of amazingAmusement parks in the UKThere are plenty of adrenaline pumping roller coasters to ride across the country that will delight the thrill seeker in you.

Whether you enjoy heart-pounding vertical drops, exhilarating high speeds or dizzying loops, we've compiled a list of the country's top 10 coasters to tick off your theme park list, from fastest to hottest coasters at UK highs.

What are the top 10 roller coasters in the UK?

1. Discretion

Park Thorpe

Buckle up and get ready to take on one of Europe's fastest roller coasters and the UK's fastest roller coaster. As one of the park's most popular rides, it isIngressos Thorpe ParkTicking this exhilarating ride off your bucket list will certainly be well spent.

The Stealth accelerates from 0 to 80 mph in under 2 seconds and takes you up a 205 foot course. That's the same stopping power as not one, but two Formula 1 cars. Prepare for an unparalleled experience as the lights change from red to green as you fly through the air at breathtaking speeds.

2. The Swarm

Park Thorpe

The Swarm is a stunning themed rollercoaster that makes you feel like you've been transported to a post-apocalyptic world, in this case dominated by killer bees (hence the name!). Unlike traditional roller coasters, The Swarm hosts its brave riders on either side of the track, giving an "almost missed" feeling as it zips through thoughtful props and landscapes at high speed.

The ride is designed to feel like flying through an accident scene after a disaster, so keep an eye out for a partially destroyed church, an overturned ambulance, a half-submerged fire engine, and a damaged helicopter. You will also almost fly over a crashed plane!

3. Forget

Alton Towers

You must visitAlton Towersto experience Oblivion, the infamous 90 degree roller coaster!

4. The big one

Blackpool pleasure beach

The Big One was once the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world. It still holds the crown as Britain's tallest roller coaster but has since lost the top spot as the steepest. Opened in 1994, Blackpool's popular roller coaster thrills and still thrills all who dare ride its hair-raising 205ft elevation and 65 degree drop before winding and turning along Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

To make the experience even more magical, consider riding the roller coaster at night when Pleasure Beach is lit up in bright, iridescent colors for unparalleled views. The Big One was once the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world. However, in the UK it still holds the crown as the tallest roller coaster but has since been knocked off the top spot as the steepest. Opened in 1994, Blackpool's popular roller coaster thrills and still thrills all who dare ride its hair-raising 205ft elevation and 65 degree drop before winding and turning along Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

5. Colossus

Park Thorpe

Colossus at Thorpe Park held the world record for most inversions for a while, and while it has since been surpassed, it's still a seriously spooky coaster! The Colossus features a total of ten stomach-churning inversions, a vertical loop, a double corkscrew, a snake roll and the UK's only quadruple barrel roll - that's a lot of twists for just one ride!

6. Weidenmann

Alton Towers

Wicker Man is one of the newest toys at Alton Towers, and he's also one of the scariest! This is the first wooden roller coaster to be built in the UK in over 20 years, but adventure seekers will be delighted to know that this is not just a wooden roller coaster, it's a wooden roller coaster with scorching flames and a 58 effigy of Wicker Man's own feet aflame.

As you approach the promenade, you will discover the secret Beornen community living deep in the forest. They want people to reject the modern world and reconnect with nature, and they're not very kind to intruders. If you think you have what it takes, hop in and prepare to face the wrath of the straw man. They'll burst out of your chest not once, but thrice at breathtaking speeds of nearly 44 miles per hour!

a rollercoaster connoisseur,Kip Hakeloves that the ride sits right next to some of the best in the country despite being wooden.

"Despite using a very ancient method of building a toy, Wicker Man is an incredible feat of modern engineering. The music in the queue changes during the ride, it gets darker, more melancholic and the pre-ride pre-show is mind-blowing and creates a real atmosphere.

"Wicker Man is a family-friendly ride, but don't let that fool you, it's fast and furious and you have to remember to breathe as you fly through Wicker Man's chest as he bursts into flames."

Kip also offers a little tip on the best time to ride Wicker Man: "It's best to get Wicker Man towards the end of the day. You'll also want to sit in the back row for a more immersive experience!"

Two members of our brilliant team were lucky enough to be among the first people to ride this distinctive roller coaster when it opened in March 2018. Watch the video below to see how they stacked up against the wrath of the straw man.

7. The smiling one

Alton Towers

The Smiler, the world's first 14-lap roller coaster, is sure to get its riders to do just that! Not for the faint of heart, this ride will take you through its twists and turns as well as its various inversions for a true adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride you won't soon forget.

Taking away the world record for most inversions from Colossus, this roller coaster is the ultimate ride for loop-the-loops lovers.

8. Dragon's Wrath

Adventure World Chessington

If you prefer roller coasters with crazy twists, you should definitely face the beast in Dragon's FuryAdventure World Chessington. Up to four people can travel in a carriage, making it a great choice for friends and family. This roller coaster spins you around the track, but the speed depends on where you sit. Do you think you have what it takes to face the dragon?

Kip told us why this dizzying roller coaster is one of his absolute favorites.

“This spinning roller coaster is now an icon of Chessington World of Adventures. It flies and shoots over the land of dragons and feels like it takes forever as you fly across the runway. You might find yourself doing a lot of twists and turns backwards, forwards, or even sideways! It's a fun, family-friendly ride that will make you smile. Don't forget to check out the dragon in the cave near the entrance - don't touch his treasure though, you might regret it!

9. Vampire

Adventure World Chessington

Arrow's only floating roller coaster featuring floating cars outside of North America, Vampire will have you rocking as it winds around the track at speeds of 45 miles per hour, making you feel like you're flying through the air like a vampire bat.

Without a supportive floor, riders swing freely through bat-cave tunnels and across the park's Wild Woods area, as well as tall trees in the nearby forest.

10. Nemesis

Alton Towers

Despite being over 20 years old, Nemesis is still considered one of the best roller coasters in the world. According to the story, the construction of this giant roller coaster disrupted a deadly monster that had been dormant for years. The monster soon began wreaking havoc and destruction, and the only way to stop it was to contain it with 250 tons of steel. The steel swirls around the creature, keeping them pinned and contained, but as you hurtle down the track you can still feel their fury!

Nemesis was also Europe's first inverted roller coaster, allowing your legs to dangle as you ride. As if that weren't enough to up the thrill factor, you'll also be met with twists and turns and corkscrews in this unforgettable adventure.

"Nemesis is my absolute favorite coaster," says blogger Samantha vonCoco travel. “During the ride on this inverted roller coaster, your legs swing freely – the floor is lowered before the cars depart. It's one minute and twenty seconds of pure excitement as you're spun between two corkscrews, a zero-gravity roll and a vertical loop.”

Kariss has fond memories of riding Nemesis from a young age and still loves all the "spooky" extras added to the ride.

“Nemesis recently celebrated its 25th anniversary and it's still held in high esteem by coaster lovers for good reason. I've been riding it since I was a young teen and it never gets old and I still can't resist swinging my legs when the bottom sags at first!

Francesca, who also rode Nemesis as a child, can see why the ride is still so popular.

“It's such an exciting ride with great views because it's so high up! I did this tour again not long ago and was reminded of why I loved it so much. While it's fast and exhilarating, I really like how smooth the ride is and I actually find the air rushing through my hair to be quite therapeutic!

What is the tallest roller coaster in the UK?

The highest roller coaster in Great Britain is The Big One at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at 65 meters high.

Although this amazing roller coaster used to be the tallest (and steepest!) in Jackson, New Jersey.

What is the fastest roller coaster in Britain?

The fastest roller coaster in Britain is the Stealth at Alton Towers, which reaches 128.7 km/h from 0 to 80 mph (128.7 km/h) in just 1.9 seconds.

After reaching top speed, the track makes a 90-degree turn and quickly climbs the ride's famous "cylinder" peak before descending the other side. Drivers also experience a fleeting moment of weightlessness while driving.

Would you like to experience these amazing roller coasters? Check out our fantastic rangeTheme park tickets in the UKToday.