Thorpe Park Announces Closure of Iconic Amity Beach for 2026 Season
Thorpe Park has confirmed that its beloved Amity Beach attraction, a staple for families and summer visitors since 1991, will not reopen for the 2026 season. In a significant update, the theme park has unveiled concept art for its replacement, a new area named The Launchpad, designed as a recharge zone for guests seeking respite between adrenaline-fueled rides.
Farewell to a Family Favourite
Amity Beach, located near the front of the park, featured a fake beach with a shallow paddling pool and a splash park, making it a popular spot for children to cool off on hot days. Its seasonal operation meant visitors often checked the park's app for daily opening status. The area also housed the Depth Charge waterslide, a four-lane attraction where guests rode inflatable dinghies, though its future remains uncertain as it does not appear in the new promotional imagery.
Over the years, Amity Beach hosted notable events, including Love Island Lates with cast meet-and-greets, and welcomed celebrity guests such as Princess Diana and Prince Harry in 1992. Thorpe Park has shared nostalgic throwback snaps to commemorate its legacy.
Introducing The Launchpad: A New Era Begins
The Launchpad is set to transform the space into a vibrant recharge zone, offering seating areas with shaded spots and a colourful design. Positioned near major rollercoasters, it aims to provide thrillseekers with a place to rest, reset, and refuel between rides, aligning with Thorpe Park's identity as the UK's Most Thrilling Theme Park.
In a social media statement, Thorpe Park expressed excitement about this new chapter, highlighting the importance of downtime amidst exhilarating attractions. The park continues to innovate, having recently opened Hyperia, the UK's tallest and fastest rollercoaster, in 2024 to mark its 45th anniversary.
Park Details and Visitor Information
Thorpe Park, which first opened in 1979 in Surrey, boasts thrill rides like Stealth, The Swarm, SAW-The Ride, Nemesis Inferno, and Colossus. It reopens for the 2026 season on March 27, with online advance tickets priced from £32 for visitors over 1.2 metres tall, while children under this height enter for free.
Additionally, the park offers overnight stays in Thorpe Shark Cabins, simple ensuite accommodations sleeping up to four people. Each stay includes two days of park access, free parking, and a buffet breakfast, enhancing the visitor experience.
