Northamptonshire, United Kingdom
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 29 rides and attractions including the world's oldest water chute from 1926.
Park Highlights
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 Breakdown
90-100cm (6 Rides)
Perfect for young families:
- Clown Coaster (90cm-100cm must be with adult over 14)
- Ladybird Coaster (90cm with adult, 100cm alone)
- Water Chute (90cm with adult, 110cm alone)
- Paratrooper (90cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Rockin' Tug (90cm with adult, 110cm alone)
- Crazy Golf (90cm)
100-110cm (3 Rides)
Growing adventurers:
- Rocky River Falls log flume (100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Dodgems (100cm with adult, 140cm alone)
- Sway Rider wave swinger (100cm with adult, 120cm alone)
110-120cm (4 Rides)
Bigger thrills:
- Galaxy Invaders spinning swing (110cm with adult, 120cm alone)
- Lighthouse junior drop tower (110cm)
- Jolly Jockeys (110cm)
- Treetop Walk (110cm)
120cm (1 Ride)
- Dinosaur Valley coaster (120cm)
No Height Restriction
Rides and attractions for everyone - 15 in all, including:
- Garden Wheel (25m Ferris wheel)
- Carousel, Roundabout
- Cups and Saucers, Honey Pot Bears
- Mr Wicksteed's Classic Cars, Astroslide
- Wicksteed Park Railway, Lake Boats
- Playgrounds, animal encounters, and more
Best For
- Toddlers (under 90cm): Excellent - FREE entry, 15 attractions with no height restriction
- Young Children (90-110cm): Great - Clown Coaster, Water Chute, and Rockin' Tug
- Older Children (110-130cm): Good variety including Galaxy Invaders and Sway Rider
- All ages: Beautiful park for walking, picnics, playgrounds
Featured Attractions
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.
Unique Features
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.
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
Top Tips for Visitors
- Free entry - Just walk in!
- Under 90cm free - Toddlers ride for free with 15 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
Best Times to Visit
- Quietest
- Weekdays in term time
- Busiest
- School holidays, sunny weekends
- Events
- Halloween, Christmas
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
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
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
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