THORPE Park's Saw is one of the most popular roller coasters in the UK, but fans can tackle a similar ride at a smaller, cheaper theme park in Southend in Essex – if they’re in on the secret.

Both Saw and Rage at Adventure Island in Southend were built by the same manufacturer, with a more-than-vertical drop the main feature.

4 Thorpe Park's Saw ride is one of its most terrifying experiences Credit: Handout

Thrill engineer Professor Brendan Walker works at a company called Thrill Laboratory and has designed rides across the world such as Saw, as well as Wicker Man and Thi3teen at Alton Towers.

He told us that rides at the biggest parks are often very similar to others up and down the country.

Professor Walker told Sun Online Travel: “Saw was actually based on the Rage ride at Adventure Island.

“Adventure Island is a smaller theme park than Thorpe Park, but you’ll get a similar experience on Rage when riding on Saw."

4 Rage at Adventure Island is the ride that Saw is based on Credit: Alamy

4 Both Saw (pictured) and Rage at Adventure Island in Southend were built by the same manufacturer, with a more-than-vertical drop being the main feature Credit: Wikipedia

He added: “The rides are dressed up differently, but their tracks are similar”.

While Saw is based on the horror films of the same name, Rage is based on Captain Rageman, a superhero.

So you’ll get different experiences visually, but similar experiences when it comes to the track and its loops.

Adventure Island is also free to get into, although you’ll need to buy a wrist band that costs £18.75 for those between one metre and 1.2 metres tall to get on the rides there. If you’re over 1.2 metres tall it’ll cost you £22.50 to get in.

Thorpe Park costs £49 to get in per person, although for this you can also get an annual pass that you can use multiple times.

A spokesperson for Adventure Island said: “Saw: The Ride was actually based off of our roller-coaster, Rage with the more-than-vertical drop being the main feature.

“The two rides are not identical in any way but have similar features, such as the drop straight into a loop."

4 You can ride Rage at Adventure Island in Essex Credit: Alamy

They added: “They were also made by the same company – a German manufacturer called Gerstlauer.

“This means that the cars are the same and the track type is also the same, however the tracks are in a different configuration.

“The main similarity is that they both have a vertical climb and more-than-vertical drop which goes straight into a loop.

“Also, as Rage was built before Saw: The Ride - the guys from Merlin came down to learn how we operate Rage prior to the opening of their ride.”

A spokesperson for Thorpe Park said: “Although the two rides are built on similar systems Saw is a very different experience."

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They added: “When we introduced Saw to Thorpe Park in 2009 we worked with the manufacturer Gerstlauer to create a bespoke and never seen before experience where guests feel like they are playing the game alongside Jigsaw.

"The ride has an indoor section, traps, lighting and other special effects making it the world’s first horror movie rollercoaster with a beyond vertical drop.”

Sun Online Travel previously visited the Love Island beach at Thorpe Park - and hung out with the contestants all day long.

Earlier this year, we also headed down to the park to try out their new Walking Dead rollercoaster where you’re chased by zombies.

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