I recently had the opportunity to go on the new ride called The Big Ben, in Skegness. It’s a 262ft vertical metal tower, with a replica of London’s Big Ben at the top, with a working and correct clock.
This review is about the entire ride, how you pay, how much you pay, where it is and more.
As you approach it, you begin to get a feel of the sheer size and scale of this ride. It is extremely tall. Can’t compare it to anything, but it is taller than anything else in Skegness. The tallest ride in the UK is Hyperia at Thorpe Park – it’s 30 ft taller than that.
Around the tower is a ring. On that ring are speakers, and then a wider outter ring with several metal chains with double seats hanging from it. The seats are bucket shaped, with a metal bar and connector between your legs, as well as a mound shape to prevent to slipping out. There is also a belt type ‘seat belt’ that clips in. You are secure. It’s not like the big bars that come down at Theme Parks that can feel very locked in.
How do you pay to go on Skegness The Big Ben?
There is no pre-booking. It’s much like any fairground ride. You pay your money (contactless for me), and the lady gives you a token. There was no queue, and this was on a Saturday afternoon just after lunch on a sunny busy day. You hand the token to one of the staff who take you to a chair. You can pick which one, be he put me on an outter chair.
All locked in, with music pumping and bassing away, you feel the energy of it all – and must say – some apprenehsion. As you aren’t yet aware of when it will go up. It will go when the ride is not full – did for me.
Then this beep, several times, and a low “10, 9, 8…” voice til it rises up. Not suddenly, but at a good pace. And then you start to turn… still ‘almost’ vertically hanging and you see the view. During this time, the music to Pirates of the Caribbean is playing. Something inside my thought it would be Superman.
Does the Skegness Big Ben ride spin fast?
After a short time, it’s like they have put it in a new gear, and you are moving around, quite quickly… and you begin to “oh my god… oh my Chr**t”… and probably worse. It is quite something. At first it’s difficult to look down, as you are sorting holding on. I was putting a finger to my glasses for fear of them coming off. They won’t of course, but you can’t help but think it.
I held on the vertical chains almost the whole time. Feet out a bit. Then… you look up, and holy hell, you are at the top. There is the clock. My goodness, you are at the top of this ride. And that music is really going through you.
Then it begins to come down and you feel a sense of letting go. I did.
After a time it begins to come down again.
I got off, went to see the lady and for certain reasons, I was able to go again at no cost. I shan’t explain why.
But felt this time I can enjoy it more. Got straight back on, and was more exciting this time. I was waving to people down below, evening gesturing my arms up and down like you might in a night club to the music – as it was spinning right at the top.
This was THRILLING.
When it was over, I went to see the lady to collecting my ‘loose items’ and told her she really put a smile on my face.
A few Q&As to answer, as I couldn’t find much information online about it.
How much does Skegness the Big Ben Cost per person?
It’s £10 per person. I saw no signs of reductions for any age groups.
Are there any limitations to who can go on The Big Ben ride?
Yes – quite a few. Like Epilepsy, and some other medical factors. Can’t quote them as didn’t take a photo of the list.
Can you book The Big Ben Ride online?
No. you pay the person in the booth. Tho this was in the height of summer on a Saturday afternoon, and surprisingly, not busy.
Is the music loud on the Big Ben ride?
Yes, but not so loud you probably can’t hear the person next to you. But it is loud, and the music is very good.
Do you feel safe on Skegness’s Big Red ride?
At first, when you are spinning, there is a sense of “oh my.. .should I be doing this”, but I never ever felt unsafe. No more than going around a fast Coaster and going upside down. So yes, you do feel safe.
Where exactly is the Big Ben ride in Skegness?
If you walk down the main street, to the clock tower. Over the road… past the gardens, it’s literally up there on the left. To get to it, you go left as though into the car park, and then right. Easy to get to.
Is the Big Bed ride windy at the top?
Yes. It wasn’t all that windy at ground level, but you are over 230ft up in the air. You are spinning around at a bit of a speed… it is windy. But that makes it all the more thrilling.
If you would like to know anything else about the ride, as sadly we couldn’t find hardly anything online, do get in touch. We’d be happy to answer what we can.
Small Print.
We are not affiliated at all with the ride. We paid to go on it. We loved it. This is not an advert for it.