Thorpe Park or Chessington World of Adventures Resort Comparison

With nearly 100 attractions between them, including thrill-a-second roller coasters, splash rides, a zoo, an aquarium and more, it’s no wonder that Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures are two of the UK’s most popular theme parks. We took a closer look to see how these entertainment titans measure up…

By <a href="#author-bio">Stuart Bak</a>
By Stuart Bak
Published: September 25, 2024
Friends on a roller coaster

Thorpe Park: The Lowdown

Rollercoaster at Thorpe Park
  • Name and age. Thorpe Park opened in 1979.
  • Location. The Surrey village of Thorpe, 20 miles south of Central London.
  • Best for. Thrill-seeking teens and grown-ups.
  • Slogan. 'The home of feel-good thrills'
  • Getting there and getting in. Trains connect Waterloo with Staines, from where the 950 express bus shuttles passengers direct to Thorpe Park. Day tickets, annual passes and VIP experiences can be booked via the Thorpe Park website.
  • Staying over. Thorpe Shark Cabins, made from converted shipping containers are the on-park option, and you can also book ticket+stay packages at some nearby hotels.

Thorpe Park in a Nutshell

Saw – The Ride at Thorpe Park

Thorpe Park sits on a huge tract of parkland, complete with lakes and meadows that lend the park its island-like appearance. Nine themed zones including a jungle, an old town and a haunted dockyard, contain around 30 rides. Among these are the fastest and tallest roller coaster in the country, one of the tallest water rides in Europe and several terrifying movie-themed attractions, based on the likes of The Walking Dead and the Saw franchise. Suffice to say then, it’s largely geared towards families with older kids.

Thorpe Park: Vital Statistics 

  • Size. A chunky 410 acres.
  • Number of zones. Nine, including an Atlantis-style lost city, a spooky dockyard, and an apocalyptic disaster zone.
  • Number of attractions. Somewhere in the region of 30 rides, including eight roller coasters and four water rides.
  • Visitors. Around 1.5 million annually.

Thorpe Park Highlights

The Swarm ride at Thorpe Park
  • For thrill seekers. Only the tallest, fastest and most weightless coaster in the UK, Hyperia soars 236 feet over the aptly named Fearless Valley zone. No less nerve-jangling, Stealth, The Swarm and Nemesis Inferno are very much not for the faint of heart. And be warned: the horror-themed Saw and The Walking Dead rides are pure nightmare fuel!
  • For water babes. Make a splash on the Rumba Rapids, or take your life in your hands for Tidal Wave’s epic 85-foot drop, one of the highest water rides in Europe.
  • For families. Though primarily aimed at teens and adults, Thorpe Park does have a few gentler child-friendly options, including a mini coaster, a playground and a paddling pool.

Chessington World of Adventures: The Lowdown

Family having fun on a day out
  • Name and age. Chessington opened as a zoo way back in 1931, adding the theme park elements in 1987.
  • Location. Chessington, which is within Greater London, is around 12 miles southwest of the city center.
  • Best for. Families with kids of all ages.
  • Slogan. 'We’ve got it!'
  • Getting there and getting in. Regular rail services run from Waterloo, Wimbledon and Clapham Junction to Chessington South station, a 10-minute walk from the park. Entry to Chessington World of Adventures is included with an attractions pass from Go City, which can save you up to 50% on more than 100 London tours, activities and attractions. Find out more and get yours here.
  • Staying over. There are safari- and Aztec-themed 4-star hotels on site, plus a glamping accommodation option.

Chessington World of Adventures in a Nutshell

Clown fish in an aquarium

Chessington is the whole package. Not only does it have some 40 rides, running the gamut from dizzying roller coasters and croc- and mamba-themed thrill rides to river rapids and much gentler rides for toddlers, it also boasts an entire zoo and Sea Life Centre, plus live shows, character meet-and-greets, live music, and kiddies’ play zones.

Chessington World of Adventures: Vital Statistics 

  • Size. 128 acres.
  • Number of zones. There are 11-themed zones, including the watery Shipwreck Coast, the jungly World of Jumanji, and the child-friendly Land of the Dragons. Chessington Zoo and the Sea Life Centre are in addition to these.
  • Number of attractions. Forty-something rides, plus a zoo, an aquarium, live entertainment and more.
  • Visitors. Around 1.5 million each year.

Chessington World of Adventures Highlights

Gorilla in a zoo
  • For thrill seekers. Hit up the World of Jumanji, Wild Woods and Forbidden Kingdom for some of the park’s most terrifying rides. We’re talking the Mandrill Mayhem and Vampire coasters, plus Mamba Strike, Ostrich Stampede and the Croc Drop. Try not to get bitten! 
  • For animal lovers. Chessington Zoo is home to more than 1,000 critters, including several endangered species. Say hey to snow leopards, Asiatic lions, western lowland gorillas, cute Humboldt penguins and more and experience feeding frenzies and fascinating zookeeper talks. The adjoining Sea Life Centre adds sharks, rays, jellyfish, octopuses and more into the mix.
  • For families. In addition to the fab animal attractions, there are several rides and zones designed specifically with younger kids in mind. Land of the Dragons is the park's main children's area, with a huge soft-play zone, a treehouse with rope bridges, and gentle water rides. Meet-and-greets include Elmer the patchwork elephant and characters from CoComelon, who also feature in the live stage shows.

Recap: Thorpe Park vs Chessington World of Adventures

Young couple on a theme park ride

Two titans of the amusement park world, both inside the M25 and within easy reach of Central London. But which is better? Well, your preference is likely to be swayed by how much you crave a thrill ride and how much you’re looking for a family all-rounder for your day out. Thorpe Park falls firmly into the former category. Like, say, Alton Towers, its focus is primarily on rides – and the faster and more furious the better. This is one for the adrenalin fields and will mostly suit teenagers and young adults. 

Thanks to the addition of a zoo, an aquarium and some dedicated zones for smaller children, Chessington World of Adventures is a stronger bet for families, especially those with kids across a range of ages. Suffice it to say that there’s plenty to enjoy here whether you’re two, 12 or 42 years old.

Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak
Freelance travel writer

Stu caught the travel bug at an early age, thanks to childhood road trips to the south of France squeezed into the back of a Ford Cortina with two brothers and a Sony Walkman. Now a freelance writer living on the Norfolk coast, Stu has produced content for travel giants including Frommer’s, British Airways, Expedia, Mr & Mrs Smith, and now Go City. His most memorable travel experiences include drinking kava with the locals in Fiji and pranging a taxi driver’s car in the Honduran capital.

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