Wicksteed Park
Encyclopedia
Wicksteed Park is an amusement park
in Kettering
, Northamptonshire
, England
. The park opened in 1921. It is believed to be the oldest amusement park in England; however, the Blackgang Chine
theme park on the Isle of Wight
is considerably older. It is located 2 miles (3.2 km) from the A14 and is signposted from the M1 & A1 and located near the Midland main line between London and Sheffield.
Charles Wicksteed also owned an engineering company (Wicksteed Park Leisure) and started to supply park seats and playground equipment to public parks far and wide. This company today still provides this equipment and can be found in many such parks across Europe with some of the products in Wicksteed Park.
The Park's fame spread far and wide and special trains and "Charabancs" brought visitors from an ever-widening area. Wicksteed Park was the first Leisure Park in the UK and has been copied many times since. Upon the death of Charles Wicksteed, the Board of Trustees were determined to continue his good work.
Open all year round, the children's playground
is the largest free playground in Europe.
Of historical interest is the Water Chute, which was built in 1926 and, having undergone major renovation (in 2002), it is the oldest working ride in the UK
. It has a narrow gauge railway which runs around the lake.
The park is owned by the Wicksteed Trust, a registered charity set up by Charles Wicksteed in 1916 and run by Wicksteed Park Ltd, a company wholly owned by the Trust.
1) Playground - Immediately on entering the park, there is a free playground.
2) Fairground - Rides for children up to 13/14; also in this area is the Fun Palace Arcade.
3) Lakeside - Predominantly features rides themed around water, such as the bumper-boats. It is also home to the 'Waterchute'.
4) Arena - Contains many of the park's larger rides, like the Flying Chairs, Revolving Paratrooper, Ladybird Coaster, Roller Coaster and the latest ride, a log flume called 'Rocky River Falls'.
In order to enjoy the attractions, visitors can purchase either tickets or an all day, unlimited ride wristband. There is also an aviary, sand pit and boating on the lake to complement the other attractions. The 30 acres (12.1 ha) lake is populated by swans, geese, ducks and peacocks. Caravan and camping facilities are also offered on 16 acres (6.5 ha) of land right in the heart of the park.
The park has had its own mascot since March 2000 called Wicky Bear. It also has three other characters - Kerry the Koala, Charlie the Dog and Pong the Panda. The four animals can regularly be spotted walking around the park and greeting guests. Throughout the UK summer holidays when the rides and attractions are in full operation, there is usually a 'Wicky Bear Show' on the park's Outdoor Stage where the four characters can be seen performing together.
The park holds an annual Guy Fawkes Night
display.
Amusement park
thumb|Cinderella Castle in [[Magic Kingdom]], [[Disney World]]Amusement and theme parks are terms for a group of entertainment attractions and rides and other events in a location for the enjoyment of large numbers of people...
in Kettering
Kettering
Kettering is a market town in the Borough of Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. It is situated about from London. Kettering is mainly situated on the west side of the River Ise, a tributary of the River Nene which meets at Wellingborough...
, Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The park opened in 1921. It is believed to be the oldest amusement park in England; however, the Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine is the location of a now-destroyed chine in the soft Cretaceous cliffs about 6 miles from Ventnor at the southern tip of the Isle of Wight just below St Catherine's Down. Since 1843 it has been home to the Blackgang Chine amusement park, run by the Dabell family who also run the...
theme park on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
is considerably older. It is located 2 miles (3.2 km) from the A14 and is signposted from the M1 & A1 and located near the Midland main line between London and Sheffield.
History
The Park's beginnings can be traced back to 1913 when Charles Wicksteed purchased a tract of Northamptonshire meadowland near Kettering with the intention of developing a model village. He wanted to create an open space and safe parkland for local families.Charles Wicksteed also owned an engineering company (Wicksteed Park Leisure) and started to supply park seats and playground equipment to public parks far and wide. This company today still provides this equipment and can be found in many such parks across Europe with some of the products in Wicksteed Park.
The Park's fame spread far and wide and special trains and "Charabancs" brought visitors from an ever-widening area. Wicksteed Park was the first Leisure Park in the UK and has been copied many times since. Upon the death of Charles Wicksteed, the Board of Trustees were determined to continue his good work.
Open all year round, the children's playground
Playground
A playground or play area is a place with a specific design for children be able to play there. It may be indoors but is typically outdoors...
is the largest free playground in Europe.
Of historical interest is the Water Chute, which was built in 1926 and, having undergone major renovation (in 2002), it is the oldest working ride in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It has a narrow gauge railway which runs around the lake.
The park is owned by the Wicksteed Trust, a registered charity set up by Charles Wicksteed in 1916 and run by Wicksteed Park Ltd, a company wholly owned by the Trust.
Attractions
The attractions at Wicksteed Park are divided into 4 themed areas:1) Playground - Immediately on entering the park, there is a free playground.
2) Fairground - Rides for children up to 13/14; also in this area is the Fun Palace Arcade.
3) Lakeside - Predominantly features rides themed around water, such as the bumper-boats. It is also home to the 'Waterchute'.
4) Arena - Contains many of the park's larger rides, like the Flying Chairs, Revolving Paratrooper, Ladybird Coaster, Roller Coaster and the latest ride, a log flume called 'Rocky River Falls'.
In order to enjoy the attractions, visitors can purchase either tickets or an all day, unlimited ride wristband. There is also an aviary, sand pit and boating on the lake to complement the other attractions. The 30 acres (12.1 ha) lake is populated by swans, geese, ducks and peacocks. Caravan and camping facilities are also offered on 16 acres (6.5 ha) of land right in the heart of the park.
The park has had its own mascot since March 2000 called Wicky Bear. It also has three other characters - Kerry the Koala, Charlie the Dog and Pong the Panda. The four animals can regularly be spotted walking around the park and greeting guests. Throughout the UK summer holidays when the rides and attractions are in full operation, there is usually a 'Wicky Bear Show' on the park's Outdoor Stage where the four characters can be seen performing together.
The park holds an annual Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Guy Fawkes Day, Bonfire Night and Firework Night, is an annual commemoration observed on 5 November, primarily in England. Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding...
display.