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The History of TP

History of Thorpe Park

In 1930 the bulk of the land on which TP stands was purchased from the Lord of the Manor. Excavation of the gravel pits, typical of those found in the River Thames flood plain, began in 1941.The average thickness of the deposit was around 4 metres.  It was a wet working site.  Where the natural water table had been exposed on excavation, large lake areas were left behind. In the late 60s the RMC Group formed a subsidiary company called Leisure Sport Ltd to develop the site for leisure.  Landscaping work began in 1971.Millions of tons of soil were moved to form the lake margins, to re-drain land and to form banks in order to give some height to the topography.10 000 trees and bushes were planted.  Reeds and red mace were used to soften the lake edges and encourage wild life.

Construction

The largest building at Thorpe Park is the Mountbatten Pavilion – one Europe’s biggest single span structures when it was built in 1978.The ‘Crown and Anchor’ pub has panelling that is 375 years old – with a real musket ball embedded in one of the panels. Thorpe Park was opened to the public by the late Lord Louis Mountbatten on the 24^th May 1979.  In the same year it was awarded the British Tourist Authority’s ‘Come to Britain Trophy’ for the best new attraction in the UK.Thorpe Park had car parking for 8 000 cars and 250 coaches.

 In 1991:

Fantasy Reef was the original name given to what is now known as Neptune’s Kingdom.  Depth Charge is the centrepiece of this area that also offers a sandy beach for our younger guests. Loggers' Leap was the highest log flume ride in the UK.Aqua Fun offered guests an unusual variety of fun-filled water activities including pedalos, rowing boats, windsurfing and parascending – all included in the admission price.

 Canada Creek

Probably the largest man-made canyon in the world.  The mountain was created from one million tonnes of rubble from such places as:

·        The Houses of Parliament – excavations for underground car park;

·        The Barbican – excavations for new tube stations;

·        Queens Park Rangers old artificial football pitch;

·        The Old Bailey;

·        Heathrow Airport;

·        Alexandra Palace;

·        5 000 tonnes of limestone rock was used to form the rocky canyon of Canada Creek.  The largest weighed over 15 tonnes and was lifted into place by a crane.

·        5 000 tonnes of top soil from Slough Sewage Works to nurture the soil for over 10 000 new trees planted in Canada Creek.

·        Over 5 000 genuine Red Canadian Maples were planted, plus 4 000 quick growing conifers to give Canada Creek a real wooded effect.

 Thorpe Farm

The working atmosphere of a working farm of the 1930s was recreated.  Farm buildings dating back to the 17^th Century were carefully restored to provide many covered farm exhibits.  One of the most popular was the Craft Centre where a variety of craft people could be seen using equipment that is seldom seen today.

 There were, and still are today, rare breeds of sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and poultry with their young.  The most recent arrivals have been the llamas and in July they are expecting a new arrival.  The farm can be reached by the Canada Creek Railway or the water bus.

In the last 10 years some attractions have disappeared but many new attractions have been added. 

In 1998 Thorpe Park became part of The Tussauds Group, which is owned by Charterhouse Development Capital who invest heavily in the development of the attractions within the Group.

The year 2000 saw the opening of the highest water drop ride in Europe - Tidal Wave that is 80 feet high.

 In 2001 three new thrill rides were introduced into the Park - Vortex, Detonator and Zodiac.

This year, 2002, our World First 10 looping coaster opened together with the Ribena Rumba Rapids water ride.

The future of Thorpe Park is going to be an exciting one as we move into a new phase of development that will embrace much bigger and more exciting rides than have ever been seen at the Park before.

2003 - Nemesis Inferno will open.

I would like to Thank Thorpe Park for giving TPAT this information.