Today marks the 33rd anniversary birthday for the Nations Thrill Capital, THORPE PARK. Since it's opening in 1974, the park has seen many major changes from company takeovers to opening the worlds first 10 looping roller coaster, Colossus. 

Back in the 1970's the land that now situates THORPE PARK was a mere gravel excavation pit, which then was closed by the owners RMC (Ready Mix Concrete) to pursue a different ambition of a leisure park. The ground was flooded in the late 70's leaving only an island which was to later become the leisure park site, around this time RMC was sold out by CEMEX. On the 24th May 1979 the park was officially opened by Louis Mountbatten, who lent his name to the Mountbatten Pavilion, now more formally known as 'The Dome'. The park opened with a select few educational exhibits including Model World (1979-2004) and the Mountbatten Pavilion which housed a standing aircraft display. And this is where the history began.

For the full timeline, from 1979 to present day THORPE PARK it can be viewed in our past and future section in Features.

Since opening the park has gone from an educational leisure park to the Nations Thrill Capital, home to some of Europe's most exhilarating thrill rides including Stealth, a launch coaster that propels you from 0-80 in 1.9 seconds, Colossus, the worlds first 10 looping roller coaster , The SWARM, A UK's first winged roller coaster which takes you on a death defying flight through apocalyptic devastation.

Happy 33rd Birthday, THORPE PARK!