Wicksteed Park
Historic FREE entry park opened 1921. Home to world's oldest water chute (1926). 28 rides and attractions, beautiful parkland, lake. Pay-per-ride or unlimited wristbands. Perfect family day out in Northamptonshire.
Data last verified on 1 March 2026. Always confirm critical restrictions with the park on the day of your visit.
Quick Stats
- Total Rides:
- 28
- No Restrictions:
- 12
- Adult Price:
- £0
- Child Price:
- £0
- Parking:
- £6
- Updated:
- 1 March 2026
All Rides & Attractions
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Enter your child's height to see which rides they can enjoy
🎪 Adventure Playground Large outdoor playground - FREE access. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Astroslide Giant slide. Under 1m must be accompanied by adult on same mat. Operating since 1975. | Family | 👤100cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Carousel Traditional carousel horses. Installed 2003. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
🎢 Clown Coaster Kiddie coaster for first-timers. 90-100cm must be with adult over 14. Reopened 2011. | Coaster | 👥90cm 👤100cm alone | Low |
🎯 Crazy Golf Mini golf course. | Interactive | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Cups and Saucers Giant spinning cups around a green teapot. Under 1m must be with adult over 14. Opened 2009. | Family | 👤100cm alone | Gentle |
🎢 Dinosaur Valley Dino-themed coaster with sharp twists, steep turns, and banked corners. Figure-of-eight track since 1992. | Coaster | 👥100cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
👨👩👧 Dodgems Classic bumper cars. Installed 2010. | Family | 👥90cm 👤120cm alone | Low |
⚡ Galaxy Invaders Spinning swing ride that rotates and swings riders through the air. Opened 2021. | Thrill | 👥110cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
👨👩👧 Garden Wheel 25-metre Ferris wheel with 18 gondolas seating up to 72 passengers. Opened 2023. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Honey Pot Bears Teacup-style ride for younger children. Under 1m must be with adult over 14. Max 2 adults per pot. | Family | 👤100cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Jolly Jockeys Pony trek ride where riders gallop around a circuit of twists, turns, and fences. Opened 2024. | Family | 👤110cm alone | Low |
🎢 Ladybird Coaster Gentle family coaster with ladybird-themed cars. Operating since 1994. | Coaster | 👤90cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Lake Boats Pedal boats and rowing boats on the lake. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Lighthouse Junior drop tower rising 10 metres into the air. Built by Zamperla, opened 2002. | Family | 👥90cm 👤100cm alone | Low |
🔭 Meerkat Manor Walk-through meerkat tunnels and close animal encounters. | Observation | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Mini Jets Plane ride for younger children. One of the park's longest-running rides, since 1952. | Family | 👤90cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Mr Wicksteed's Classic Cars Vintage car driving around an old-fashioned English countryside setting. Modelled on 1920s Humber motor cars. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
⚡ Paratrooper Spinning paratrooper ride that rises into the air at speed. Operating since 1982. | Thrill | 👥90cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
👨👩👧 Rockin' Tug Rocking and spinning boat ride. Opened 2003. | Family | 👥90cm 👤110cm alone | Medium |
💧 Rocky River Falls Log flume through gentle rapids to exhilarating plunge with huge splash. Opened 2008. | Water | 👥100cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
👨👩👧 Roundabout Classic roundabout ride. Operating since 1970. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
⚡ Sway Rider Wave swinger ride travelling at up to 30mph. Replaced the Pirate Ship in 2017. | Thrill | 👥110cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
🎪 Tree Top Walk Elevated treetop walkway with varying difficulty levels. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
💧 Water Chute WORLD'S OLDEST water chute (1926)! Listed monument. Wooden boat splashes into lake. | Water | 👥100cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
👨👩👧 Wicksteed Park Railway Miniature railway through the park with tunnel and bridge over lake. Running since 1931. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
🔭 Wicky's Farmyard Petting zoo with pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, and goats. | Observation | No restriction | Gentle |
🎪 Wicky's Play Factory Indoor soft play area for children 8 years and under. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
Rides by Height Requirement
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Complete Park Guide
Complete Park Guide
Wicksteed Park Height Guide
Wicksteed Park is a historic FREE entry park that opened in 1921, making it one of the UK's oldest amusement parks. Located in beautiful Kettering parkland with 28 rides and attractions including the world's oldest water chute from 1926.
Organized insights
Plan ahead quickly
Need-to-know tips
Guide Section
Park Highlights
Walk in without paying - only pay for rides you want or buy unlimited wristbands.
FREE Entry
Walk in without paying - only pay for rides you want or buy unlimited wristbands.
World's Oldest Water Chute
Listed monument from 1926 - wooden boat splashing into the lake for 100 years!
Beautiful Setting
147 acres of parkland with lake, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Pay As You Go
Budget-friendly - only pay for what you ride.
Height Strategy
Height Breakdown
Perfect for young families:
90-100cm (5 Rides)
Perfect for young families:
- Clown Coaster (90cm-100cm must be with adult over 14)
- Dodgems (90cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Paratrooper (90cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Rockin' Tug (90cm with adult, 110cm alone)
- Lighthouse junior drop tower (90cm with adult, 100cm alone)
100-110cm (3 Rides)
Growing adventurers:
- Dinosaur Valley coaster (100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Water Chute (100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Rocky River Falls log flume (100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
110-120cm (2 Rides)
Bigger thrills:
- Galaxy Invaders spinning swing (110cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Sway Rider wave swinger (110cm with adult, 120cm alone)
No Height Restriction (18 Attractions)
Rides and attractions for everyone:
- Garden Wheel (25m Ferris wheel)
- Carousel, Roundabout, Mini Jets
- Ladybird Coaster, Jolly Jockeys
- Cups and Saucers, Honey Pot Bears
- Mr Wicksteed's Classic Cars, Astroslide
- Wicksteed Park Railway, Lake Boats
- Playgrounds, animal encounters, and more
Planning Tips
Best For
- Toddlers (under 90cm): Excellent - FREE entry, 18 attractions with no height restriction
- Young Children (90-110cm): Great - Clown Coaster, Lighthouse, and Rockin' Tug
- Older Children (110-130cm): Good variety including Galaxy Invaders and Sway Rider
- All ages: Beautiful park for walking, picnics, playgrounds
Ride Highlights
Featured Attractions
Spinning swing ride that rotates and swings riders through the air. 110cm minimum with adult, 120cm alone.
Water Chute (1926)
World's oldest water chute! Listed monument designed by Charles Wicksteed. Wooden boat releases and rolls down track into lake with huge splash. Operating since 1926!
Galaxy Invaders (2021)
Spinning swing ride that rotates and swings riders through the air. 110cm minimum with adult, 120cm alone.
Garden Wheel (2023)
Stunning 25-metre Ferris wheel with 18 gondolas seating up to 72 passengers. One of the largest in the region.
Jolly Jockeys (2024)
The park's newest ride! Saddle up and gallop around a circuit of twists, turns, and fences. 110cm minimum height.
Dinosaur Valley
Dino-themed coaster with dinosaur carriages racing through figure-of-eight track. Sharp twists, steep turns, banked corners. Opened 1992.
Clown Coaster
Kiddie roller coaster perfect for first-timers. 90cm-100cm must be with responsible adult over 14. Reopened 2011.
Guide Section
Unique Features
Unlike most UK parks - walk in free, pay only for rides or buy wristbands.
FREE Entry
Unlike most UK parks - walk in free, pay only for rides or buy wristbands.
Historic Significance
Opened 1921 by Charles Wicksteed, philanthropist who believed play should be accessible to all.
Pay-Per-Ride Option
Budget-conscious families can pick and choose rides.
Beautiful Parkland
147 acres of lakes, gardens, and green space - perfect for picnics.
Guide Section
Pricing System
FREE park entry!
Pay-Per-Ride:
- Individual ride tokens
- Good for short visits or selective riding
Unlimited Wristbands:
- Day wristbands for unlimited rides
- Better value for full day
- Under 90cm FREE
Planning Tips
Top Tips for Visitors
- Free entry - Just walk in!
- Under 90cm free - Toddlers ride for free with 18 no-restriction attractions
- Bring picnic - Beautiful parkland spots
- Water Chute is unique - World's oldest, celebrating 100 years!
- Parking £6 - Reasonable for full day
- New rides - Don't miss Galaxy Invaders, Garden Wheel, and Jolly Jockeys
Planning Tips
Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Weekdays in term time Busiest: School holidays, sunny weekends Events: Halloween, Christmas
Guide Section
Facilities
- Café and restaurant - Park café with meals
- Gift shop - Souvenirs
- Baby care - Good facilities
- Parking - £6 all day
- Picnic areas - Throughout 147-acre park
- Playgrounds - Multiple play areas included free
On the Ground
Getting There
By Car: A14 to Kettering, follow signs (parking £6) By Train: Kettering Station, then bus or taxi (15 mins) By Bus: Regular services from Kettering town centre
Guide Section
Age Recommendations
- Under 3 years: Excellent - free entry, playgrounds
- 3-6 years: Great - Clown Coaster, gentle rides
- 6-10 years: Good variety including log flume
- 10+ years: Dinosaur Valley and Water Chute
Planning Tips
Money-Saving Tips
- FREE entry - biggest saving!
- Under 90cm free rides
- Bring picnic - allowed throughout park
- Pay-per-ride if short visit
- Unlimited wristband if staying all day
- Free playgrounds and parkland
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