Entertainment in Woking

Thrill-seekers, rollercoaster lovers and those who don’t mind being upside down at 80mph will love Thorpe Park. With over 30 rides, the theme-park is around five miles north of Woking, and a has a wide range of rides and themed areas to discover. Stealth is the UK’s fastest roller coaster, propelling riders to 205ft in the air in less than three seconds, while SAW – The Ride is based on the movie franchise of the same name and has a terrifying 100ft vertical drop. And those who like their perceptions truly twisted will love Derren Brown’s Ghost Train, 13 minutes of illusions, virtual reality and clever twists. While the park tried to go bigger, faster and scarier in the early 2000s, they’ve also introduced more family-friendly rides and attractions in the last few years, including Angry Birds Land, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here as well as the Rumba Rapids. Originally built over a gravel pit in the 70s, Thorpe Park is now a host of islands with several large lakes which come into their own in the summer thanks to the beach and water park. As most of the events are outdoor and in the open, the park is only open from March until the middle of October each year.

Whether you’re after a laugh-out-loud night out of comedy, a touching drama, sing-a-long musical, sweeping opera or a family favourite, you’ll find it all on offer at the New Victoria Theatre, part of the Woking Shopping Centre. In the heart of the town, and a short walk from our Woking Town Centre hotel, the 1,300-capacity theatre has welcomed top shows including West Side Story, Hairspray, Grease and Evita to its stage. Opened in 1992, it’s a relatively modern theatre, with excellent sight-lines, acoustics and technical facilities, making it one of the best theatres in the region. There’s also a smaller 238-seater studio space for more intimate events, and the Gloucester Square Bistro is a stylish café and restaurant serving up everything from snacks to three-course dinners.

Also part of the Woking Shopping Centre alongside the New Victoria Theatre, the Ambassadors Cinema is a six-screen complex showing everything from the latest action blockbuster to family-friendly cartoons. The complex is open daily and operates special baby and family screenings, while they have a range of food and drink options including Starbucks, popcorn, ice cream, Pic’n’Mix and a decent range of alcoholic drinks. The independent cinema, which was named the best of its kind in 2009, has two 3D screens and four 2D screens as well as two digital theatres.