WICKSTEED Park has been free to enter for over a century, but that could be about to change.
With 27 rides and attractions to maintain, Wicksteed Park is considering introducing a fee in the hope of keeping the park open.
Without more funding one of the owners has warned visitors that Wicksteed could “cease to exist”[/caption]
Wicksteed Park is found in Kettering, Northamptonshire, and has been open for 104 years[/caption]
With the park struggling to remain open, one of the owners has said Wicksteed could soon “cease to exist”.
Following the announcement, an appeal has been launched to save the park in Northamptonshire.
But it’s not the first time Wicksteed Park has struggled financially.
After the pandemic, Wicksteed Park received funding from the National Lottery and Cultural Recovery to get it up and running again.
Sadly, Oliver Wicksteed, who is the chair of a charitable trust that owns Wicksteed said the park needs “that level of support year-on-year” to stay open.
The park has been free to everyone since it first opened in 1921.
But charging an entrance fee could be the key to raising much-needed funds.
Mr Wicksteed said: “The Trust has invested millions in recent years to try to secure a sustainable future.
“But ultimately this is a private park which needs a great deal of money to maintain if we are to continue to open for people to use free of charge, as we have for more than 100 years.”
Wicksteed Park is very popular as it has more than just rides, there are also gardens, walking trails, a nature reserve and a pavilion, so its no wonder around one million people visit every year.
The narrow-gauge locomotive was opened in 1931 by founder Charles Wicksteed[/caption]
There are 27 rides in the park as well as other attractions from crazy golf to boating in the lake[/caption]
The park is not completely free though as Wicksteed Park does charge for parking and rides.
But not having an entrance fee means savings for families – especially if not everyone is going on the rides which cost £3 per turn.
Another option is to buy a wristband for £20 if you plan on having a go on all 27 rides around the park.
This might be more cost effect as you’ll definitely want to experience every ride.
They have everything you could ask for, from the classic carousel to dodgems, rollercoasters and drop towers.
Sway Rider gives you good views of the park as it takes you up 30ft into the air[/caption]
The lake is perfect for paddle boats and also can be viewed from above on the monorail[/caption]
On site is Britain’s oldest water chute, which first opened in 1926. It’s a wooden boat that falls into the lake below, but don’t let its simplicity fool you, it’s a steep drop.
Sway Rider takes you up 30ft into the air on swings and hit speeds of 30mph, so it’s not for the fainthearted.
With the thrill-seekers sorted, there are also attractions for those who want a calmer day out from crazy golf and row boats on the lake.
There’s also the chance to enjoy a picnic on the grass when it’s time for a break.
In 1931 they opened a railway ride which was the last part of the park to be designed by Charles Wicksteed.
The rail track takes visitors for a fun tour around the park and lake.
Wicksteed Park even has animals, specifically meerkats that have their own enclosure called ‘Meerkat Manor’.
It’s Rides Galore in Wicksteed Park
Catherine Lofthouse has revealed why she and her kids love a trip to Wicksteed Park – in particular the Jolly Jockeys ride
It’s headline ride is a genteel journey around a track on a pretend pony, something the whole family can enjoy together.
That’s one of the reasons why Wicksteed is the perfect place to take your theme park first-timer.
Jolly Jockeys takes the place of a much-loved helicopter monorail pedal ride, that had been providing parents with a chance to get leg day in while on a family day out for as long as I can remember.
There’s also a huge 147-acre parkland to wander around and a lake for spotting wildlife, as well as a massive playground.
As well as swapping pedals for ponies, the park has also installed a Ferris wheel and a new climbing frame based on Jack and the Beanstalk this season, so we gave those a go while we were there too.
The Sun travel team took their own trip to Wicksteed Park during October last year to experience their Halloween Haunt.
We also thought Wicksteed deserved a spot as one of the UK’s top theme parks.
Meerkat Manor allows kids to take a closer look at the animals[/caption]
