The rollercoaster king- the man behind the UK’s fastest thrill-ride

John Burton stands beside Hyperia, the rollercoaster he co-designed at Thorpe Park. When he was just 27, he took the reins of Thorpe Park’s largest project ever. It’s hard to believe that the man responsible for thrilling rollercoaster designs was once too afraid to ride them himself. So how did he become the architect of adrenaline-fueled dreams for so many thrill-seekers?

Rollercoaster enthusiasts often discuss the legends of the past: Anton Schwarzkopf, a loop pioneer; Ron Toomer, who first sent riders plummeting from over 200 feet; and icons like Alan Schilke and Werner Stengel. Stengel, an incredible 88 years old, is celebrated for his innovative designs that have changed the landscape of amusement rides. Given that rollercoaster design requires an unusual mixture of imagination, perseverance, and technical know-how, it’s a field typically dominated by more seasoned professionals. Enter John Burton, a unique figure in the industry. Just a few years removed from a job as a crab feeder at an English aquarium, he was tasked with creating a ride with an £18 million budget and the directive to “make it big.” And he was only 27.

His journey into the world of rollercoasters began with a fear of rides. As a child, just being near them was enough to send him into a panic. “I used to tell my mom, ‘Please don’t make me ride it,’” he recalls. But everything changed when, at age 12, he braved the Nemesis ride at Alton Towers near his home. Curiosity transformed into obsession as a teenager when he discovered RollerCoaster Tycoon, a simulation game that allowed him to design his own rides. While studying architecture at the University of Birmingham, he took a job at the aquarium, owned by Merlin Entertainments, the world’s second-largest theme park operator. Nearing graduation, he applied for a position in Merlin’s creative department after an extensive interview process, ultimately landing the job thanks to his impressive virtual designs.

Burton believes that thrill rides should not only be exciting but also immersive experiences. He quickly climbed the ranks at Merlin and, by 2019, was one of their leading creatives. That year, the company’s CEO, Nick Varney, decided to replace an old log flume with something more exhilarating, placing Burton at the helm of the project. He received one simple guideline: construct a rollercoaster that rises to over 213 feet, making it the tallest in the UK. The stakes felt incredibly high. “I was relatively new, and this was their biggest investment in a ride ever,” Burton explains.

In the whimsical offices of Thorpe Park, adorned with sequined costumes and oversized props from past attractions, Burton led brainstorming sessions with teams, often borrowing space at London’s Madame Tussauds to meet with ride manufacturers from the US and Europe. His travels, whether to test Twisted Colossus in California or Zadra in Poland, deepened his admiration for coasters that challenged riders while allowing them to enjoy the experience. “Designing a great rollercoaster is like choreographing a West End musical,” he describes. “It’s about crafting euphoric moments and maintaining that thrill right up until the brakes hit.”

Burton acknowledges the influence of John Wardley, a legendary designer who created Nemesis—the ride that once struck fear, then reverence, into young Burton’s heart. When he joined Merlin, he had the privilege of working alongside Wardley in a collaboration that helped modernize older attractions. “The process of designing a rollercoaster necessitates talent across many areas,” Wardley told me. “Creating a successful ride means prioritizing safety, reliability, and aesthetic appeal — a balancing act similar to conducting an orchestra.”

Pike, another prominent designer, noted how the deadlines for rollercoaster launches can feel overwhelming. “You’re under immense pressure. When a park hinges a whole season on a new ride, the responsibility lies heavily on creators like us,” he shared. “It weighs on you, and maintaining that pressure takes its toll.”

Burton, not yet feeling the weight of age, was invested in the project from 2020 to 2024, serving as a bridge between various stakeholders—engineers, builders, and theme-park enthusiasts alike. His creative vision demanded an immense amount of conceptualization and collaboration before he would ever get the chance to experience his own creation firsthand.

Burton’s carefree personality belies an intense focus and dedication to craftsmanship. His time spent at theme parks has left him with a keen awareness of the thrill experience, and he draws inspiration from music. When working from home during the 2020 lockdowns, he envisioned his rollercoaster to flow like a musical score—starting with a grand overture followed by deeper moments and leading to a soaring finale. Ultimately, the ride would feature a vertical drop to kick off the adventure and a slow grand loop for the emotional climax.

In the early phases of the design process, Burton collaborated extensively with Maurice Kremer, a structural engineer for Mack, a German construction firm specializing in rollercoasters. Their discussions revolved around the sensory experience they wanted to evoke, tweaking elements to create the desired rollercoaster layout—each element carefully crafted to heighten a passenger’s physical experience.

The gravity-driven designs of rollercoasters have their roots in physics principles long-established. Pike noted that despite advancements in technology, many modern coasters still rely on basic elements of gravity. “It’s high-school physics,” he explained, emphasizing the importance of energy management within the overall design.

As Burton and Kremer approached the final design stages, they focused on creating an exceptional centerpiece: the elongated Stengel, an innovative element that would send thrill-seekers soaring and flipping. “Our goal was to maximize the sensation of weightlessness,” Kremer explained. This thrilling design would provide riders with a unique experience never felt before.

By 2022, as the design grew into what would eventually be dubbed Hyperia, excitement built among the rollercoaster community. Curiosity peaked as rumors spread about the coaster’s groundbreaking elements. However, creators like Burton must navigate not just the thrill of creation but the lingering shadow of safety concerns and scrutiny.

Despite the apparent dangers outlined in history—tragic accidents and safety overhauls—Burton and his peers remained committed to delivering thrilling experiences. “The promise we offer riders is what makes the rollercoaster captivating,” Pike remarked. “We create controlled thrills where passengers feel they are flirting with danger, yet can step off, with stories to share.”

As the months unfolded in 2022, work on Hyperia progressed. Burton and his team engaged in a tireless naming process, deliberating names that would resonate with the park’s visitors. After weeks of brainstorming, Burton’s suggestion of Hyperia—a water god—came through as the perfect fit, encapsulating the ride’s adventurous spirit.

Hyperia’s opening day arrived amidst a swirl of excitement, merging fear and anticipation in equal measure. As Burton finally rode his creation, he was struck by a rush of joy and relief, confirming that the cinematic moments he envisioned were indeed alive and present.

After the initial rides welcomed enthusiastic feedback, Hyperia faced a challenging summer, grappling with technical difficulties and scrutinized by eager enthusiasts. Despite the bumps along the way, the rollercoaster continued to attract crowds, with guests unyieldingly waiting in line for their chance to ride.

As Burton prepared to experience Hyperia alongside me one sunny day, I could feel the palpable excitement in the air. The moment arrived, and we boarded one of the front seats together. “Lift-hill,” he reminded me as we ascended into the sky, the anticipation heightening with every click of the chain lift. When we plummeted, I felt both exhilarated and terrified as we navigated through the thrilling elements he designed.

As the ride concluded with bursts of laughter and shared disbelief, Burton’s eyes sparkled with joy. He had crafted a rollercoaster that not only delivered thrills but also held a deeper story behind its creation. While the experience etched unforgettable memories into our minds, it also left me wondering—what rollercoaster dream might he create next?