Wicksteed Park facts for kids
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Locomotive "Merlin" hauling a passenger train on the Wicksteed Park Railway
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| Location | Kettering, Northamptonshire, England |
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| Opened | 1921 |
| Closed | 2020 (rides) |
| Owner | Wicksteed Charitable Trust |
| Slogan | The Place Where Fun Was Invented |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 27 |
| Roller coasters | 3 |
| Water rides | 4 |
| Website | https://wicksteedpark.org/ |
Wicksteed Park is a special park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. It's so important that it's even a Grade II listed site! Inside the park, you'll find a fun amusement park. The park is located in the south-east part of Kettering, near the village of Barton Seagrave. A group called the Wicksteed Charitable Trust owns the park.
Contents
Discovering Wicksteed Park's History
Wicksteed Park was created by a clever and wealthy businessman named Charles Wicksteed. He owned a company in Kettering that made engineering parts.
How the Park Began
In 1913, Charles Wicksteed bought some land. He first planned to build a small, perfect village for his workers. This village would have been called the Barton Seagrave Garden Suburb Estate. A group called the Wicksteed Village Trust was set up to manage this big idea.
After World War I, many towns were building homes for people. Charles Wicksteed changed his mind. He decided to make a park instead! This park would have fun things to do for everyone in the area. There would be places to buy snacks and exciting attractions. A small fee was charged for these. This money helped pay for a free playground and sports areas for everyone to enjoy.
Early Attractions and Fun Rides
The very first playground equipment was put in place in 1917. Charles Wicksteed's own company made these items. In 1921, a lake was built using water from the Ise Brook. That same year, the park officially opened its gates!
By 1926, the park had grown a lot. It had a special building for shows and events. There was also a beautiful rose garden. One of the most exciting new rides was a water chute. Charles Wicksteed himself invented this water chute, along with many other playground items. A bandstand and a fountain were also added.
In 1928, Charles Wicksteed bought Barton Seagrave Hall. Then, in 1931, a railway track was built around the edge of the lake. Sadly, Charles Wicksteed passed away in 1931. But the Wicksteed Village Trust kept his dream alive. They continued to add new and exciting features to the park.
Wicksteed Park in Modern Times
In the year 2000, the park got a friendly new mascot. His name is Wicky Bear! The park is also a popular spot for local events. It hosts a weekly parkrun, which is a fun running event. Every November, there's a big fireworks show.
Park Improvements and Heritage
In 2012, Wicksteed Park received over £1 million. This money came from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. It helped pay for a big project to fix up the lake. The local councils in Northamptonshire and Kettering also helped with money. All this work was finished in 2014. To help fund the park, Barton Seagrave Hall was sold in 2012.
In 2016, the park's famous water chute got a special honor. It was given Grade II listed status. This means it's a very important historical building. It's the oldest water chute in Britain and still looks much like it did when it was built in 1926!
The National Lottery Heritage Fund gave the park even more money in 2018. They provided £1.78 million to help keep the park's history safe for the future.
Facing Challenges and Staying Strong
In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic caused the park's attractions to close. In June 2020, the company running the amusement park faced financial difficulties.
But people rallied to save the park! An appeal asked the public for donations. People gave £160,000! The National Lottery Heritage Fund also helped with £247,000. A new company was formed, and it bought most of the park's assets. Thanks to these efforts, the park was saved! More fundraising is still needed to keep the fun going.
The Wicksteed Park Railway
The 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge Wicksteed Park railway is one of the park's most loved features. It's a small train that runs on narrow tracks. Since it first opened in 1931, over 15 million people have ridden on its rails!
This railway was the very last attraction added to the park while Charles Wicksteed was still alive. A group called the Friends of the Wicksteed Park Railway helps support and care for this historic train.
