Wicksteed Park
Historic FREE entry park opened 1921. Home to world's oldest water chute (1926). 25+ rides, beautiful parkland, lake. Pay-per-ride or unlimited wristbands. Perfect family day out in Northamptonshire.
Data last verified on 19 January 2025. Always confirm critical restrictions with the park on the day of your visit.
Quick Stats
- Total Rides:
- 25
- No Restrictions:
- 8
- Adult Price:
- £0
- Child Price:
- £0
- Parking:
- £6
- Updated:
- 19 January 2025
Rides by Height Requirement
All Rides & Attractions
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🎪 Adventure Playground Large outdoor playground - FREE access. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
🎪 Bouncy Castle Large bouncy castle. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Carousel Traditional carousel horses. | 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 |
🎢 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. | Family | 👥90cm 👤120cm alone | Low |
👨👩👧 Flying Elephants Elephant themed flying ride. | Family | 👤90cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Frog Hopper Gentle bouncing frog ride for young children. | Family | 👤90cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Go Karts Racing go-karts around a track. | Family | 👤110cm alone | Low |
👨👩👧 Helter Skelter Classic spiral slide tower. | Family | 👤100cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Ladybird Ride Gentle ladybird spinning ride. | Family | 👤90cm alone | Gentle |
🎠 Lakeside Walk Scenic walk around the lake through 147-acre parkland. | observation | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Mini Jets Plane ride for younger children. | Family | 👤90cm alone | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Miniature Train Train ride through the park. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
🎠 Nature Trail Woodland nature trail with wildlife spotting. | observation | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Pedal Boats Pedal boats on the lake. | Family | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Pirate Ship Swinging pirate ship. | Family | 👥90cm 👤110cm alone | Medium |
👨👩👧 Rockin' Tug Rocking and spinning boat ride. | Family | 👥90cm 👤110cm alone | Medium |
💧 Rocky River Falls Log flume through gentle rapids to exhilarating plunge with huge splash. | Water | 👥100cm 👤120cm alone | Medium |
🎪 Splash Pad Water play area - open in summer. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
👨👩👧 Tea Cups Spinning tea cup ride. | Family | 👤100cm alone | Gentle |
🎪 Toddler Play Area Dedicated area for youngest visitors - FREE access. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle |
🎪 Trampolines Trampoline area for bouncing fun. | 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 |
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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 25+ rides 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 since nearly 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
FREE entry for toddlers:
Under 90cm (5 Rides)
FREE entry for toddlers:
- Various gentle rides
- Playground access
90-120cm (10 Rides)
Perfect for young families:
- Clown Coaster (90cm-100cm must be with adult over 14)
- Rocky River Falls log flume (100cm-120cm must be with adult)
- Many family rides
120cm+ (2 Rides)
Bigger thrills:
- Dinosaur Valley coaster
- Water Chute (120cm alone)
No Height Restriction (8 Rides)
Rides for everyone:
- Carousels
- Train rides
- Gentle attractions
Planning Tips
Best For
- Toddlers (under 90cm): Excellent - FREE entry, gentle rides
- Young Children (90-110cm): Great - Clown Coaster and Rocky River Falls
- Older Children (110-130cm): Good variety including Dinosaur Valley
- All ages: Beautiful park for walking, picnics, playgrounds
Ride Highlights
Featured Attractions
Log flume with gentle rapids leading to exhilarating plunge. 100cm minimum (under 120cm needs adult).
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!
Rocky River Falls
Log flume with gentle rapids leading to exhilarating plunge. 100cm minimum (under 120cm needs adult).
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
- Bring picnic - Beautiful parkland spots
- Water Chute is unique - World's oldest!
- Parking £6 - Reasonable for full day
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