A history of Wicksteed Park - where children learned to play

The park is under threat after its sister company plunged into administration
Mind the splinters! The world's first slide at WicksteedMind the splinters! The world's first slide at Wicksteed
Mind the splinters! The world's first slide at Wicksteed

Wonderful Wicksteed Park was the brainchild of Charles Wicksteed Junior.

The son of a Unitarian minster, Charles was one of 21 children, which perhaps germinated the idea play being so important to help children develop.

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He set up a Charles Wicksteed & Co. Ltd in 1876, in Digby Street, Kettering, which produced tools and wooden toys. A keen inventor, in 1913 Charles bought a piece of land in Kettering meadowland with the intention of developing a model village.

The fabulous Wicksteed Park trainThe fabulous Wicksteed Park train
The fabulous Wicksteed Park train

The large lake, a significant feature of the park, was dug by hand and steam ploughs in 1916.

He wanted to create an open space and safe parkland for local families. It opened in 1921.

In 1922 what is thought to be the world's first slide was installed at the park. It was made from wooden planks.

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To celebrate the end of the First World War, his factory took some central heating pipes from its factory and used them to build swings for children, creating the first commercial playground. Its success led to the founding of Wicksteed Playscapes, the world's first playground manufacturing company, which is still operating today from the Digby Street premises. It supplies play equipment to 80 countries.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock visited the park in 2018Health Secretary Matt Hancock visited the park in 2018
Health Secretary Matt Hancock visited the park in 2018

People came from across the region to see the new park on special trains. Wicksteed Park was the second leisure park in the country.

On the death of Charles Wicksteed, the board of trustees was determined to continue his work and kept the children's playground as the largest free facility of its kind in Europe.

The park's Water Chute, built in 1926 is the oldest working ride in the UK.

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The 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge Wicksteed Park Railway is one of the most iconic features of the park today. More than 15 million people have taken to its rails since it first opened in 1931. It was the last feature of the park to be added during the lifetime of the parks founder Charles Wicksteed and is supported by the Friends of the Wicksteed Park Railway.

The park has added a host of new features in the past decade including a log flume, a zip wire experience, a climbing centre and soft play.

The park has had its own mascot since March 2000 called Wicky Bear.

It is home to an annual firework's display, the local parkrun, the Crazy Hats Walk, and annual puddle jumping contest and an annual soap box derby.

Last year the park's famous second world war goat's milk ice cream was put back on sale. Its pavilion also underwent a £2.5m renovation and is now an award-winning wedding venue.