Thorpe Park Queue Times

Thorpe Park School Holidays & Bank Holidays 2026 & 2027

School holidays and bank holidays are when Thorpe Park gets busiest - queues on major rides can be 3–4× longer than on a term-time weekday. Use the dates below to plan ahead.

Upcoming Surrey school holidays (Surrey state schools)

Dates are for Surrey state schools. Private schools and academies may differ slightly. Weekends are also busier regardless of term time.

Busiest periods
Summer holidays · Bank holidays · Half terms · Easter
Quietest periods
Term-time Tue/Wed · Sep–Oct weekdays · Late May weekdays
Peak queue times
60–90 min on Stealth & Hyperia during summer holidays
Quiet day queues
Under 20 min on all major rides on a term-time Tuesday

How do school holidays affect Thorpe Park queues?

School holidays are the single biggest driver of crowd levels at Thorpe Park. When schools are out across Surrey, London, and the South East, visitor numbers jump sharply - the park draws a large proportion of its audience from families with school-age children.

During the six-week summer holiday, Stealth, Hyperia, and Colossus regularly hit 60–90 minute waits, even on weekdays. The Easter holidays and half terms are similarly busy, with waits of 45–60 minutes on major coasters being typical. By contrast, a Tuesday in late September or October - after schools have returned - can see those same rides at 5–15 minutes.

Is Thorpe Park open during school holidays?

Yes. Thorpe Park's season runs from late March through early November, which covers all school holidays including Easter, the full summer break, and every half term. The October half term coincides with Fright Nights - a popular Halloween event that draws evening crowds. Always check thorpepark.com for the current season's exact opening dates.

Is it worth visiting Thorpe Park during school holidays?

Tips for visiting during a school holiday

Arrive right when the park opens - the first 90 minutes after 10am always have the shortest queues of the day. Target Stealth and Hyperia first as they build the longest queues fastest. Consider Fast Track for the top 2–3 rides if your time is limited. Check the live queue page for real-time wait times on the day.

Best days during a school holiday week

Even within a school holiday, Tuesday and Wednesday tend to be less busy than Monday (many families arrive fresh), Thursday (many families leave), and especially Friday and the weekend. Midweek visits are always a better bet than the weekend bookend days of any holiday.

Weather matters too

Hot, sunny days during summer holidays drive the highest attendance. A cool or overcast day during a school holiday can mean noticeably shorter queues - many families decide not to go on miserable-looking days. Check the 7-day weather forecast for Thorpe Park before planning your visit.

Planning your visit - is tomorrow a good day?

To decide whether a specific date is a good day to visit Thorpe Park, check three things:

  • Is it a school holiday? - Use the list above. School holidays mean significantly busier conditions.
  • Is it a weekday? - Weekends are always busier than weekdays, regardless of term time. Tuesday and Wednesday are the quietest days of the week.
  • What's the weather like? - Hot sunny days boost attendance. An overcast or cool day during holidays can be surprisingly quiet. Check the 7-day Thorpe Park weather forecast →

Full guide: is today a good day to visit? →  |  Check live queue times →