Thorpe Park has announced it is closing its iconic waterpark attraction after almost 35 years to make way for a new relaxation zone.
The Surrey-based theme park has announced that Amity Beach, its outdoor water play area, will close for good this year to make way for a new seating section.
The Launchpad will replace Amity Beach and will instead be decked out with seating and canopies.
Thorpe Park said The Lauchpad will be “designed for thrillseekers to rest, reset and refuel between adrenaline hits”.
“As the UK's most thrilling theme park, we recognise how important it is to recharge between our exhilarating rides and this space will be the perfect place to do that.”
Park enthusiasts may be sad to see Amity Beach retire after first opening in 1991. The small waterpark consisted of a sandy bay next to shallow water, climbing frames, fountains and miniature slides.
It was used largely by families with smaller children who needed time away from the busy rides.
The shallow water allowed children to paddle and cool off, particularly on hotter summer days at the park.
Thorpe Park will not completely lose its water facilities, however, as the small side of the beach will remain in operation.
A spokesperson for Thorpe Park told The Independent: "We’re really excited to be reimagining the large side of Amity Beach into a year-round multi-use event space, giving thrill seekers even more opportunities to come together, socialise and make memories between rides.
“We can't wait to share more about the seasonal events and experiences we've got planned as we get closer to launch. For families with little ones, the smaller side of Amity Beach, complete with sandy beach and splash pool, will be back throughout 2026, just as it was in 2025.”
Amity Beach was only open on warmer days and was not accessible during colder and wetter weather.
The Launchpad will stay open all season as a place to relax no matter the forecast.
The park, just outside of London, is known for its record-holding rides, including Hyperia, the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster, Swarm, the UK’s first ever winged rollercoaster, and Colossus, the world’s first ten-loop rollercoaster.
Theme park enthusiasts may also know it for the 205ft-high Stealth rollercoaster, which lasts only seconds as it launches passengers with the brake horsepower of two Formula 1 cars.
Thorpe Park is set to reopen for the 2026 season on 27 March.
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