• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Wicksteed Park - Northamptonshire

LordOfDarkness

LordOfDarkness

TS Member
Favourite Ride
Nemesis
A park with masses of potential, Recently installed Lodge Cabins and a clown coaster!

With the right investment I could see this place kicking off, They have loads of land just haven't utilized it!

Thoughts? :)
 
Do they still have that old water shoot (spelling?), I remember going on that as a very young child.
 
The Nautic Jets? They did, but the last I heard was that they were getting removed. On my sole visit to the park in 2006, they were one of the highlights of my visit! :(
 
BigT said:
Do they still have that old water shoot (spelling?), I remember going on that as a very young child.
Click to expand...

I believe the Water Chute is still there - there's another one rather similar in Scarborough too.
As for the Nautic Jets, they are being removed at some point this season.
 
Well that sucks. I'd never even heard of the place util a couple of months ago and was going to visit when I was nearby pretty much only for a go on the Nautic Jets, which I think look like great fun.

Guess I won't bother at all now.
 
The water chute is still there, it looked old even when I was a kid, but it's still sanding.

I love the old decaying building it is in an the winch that looks like it Is powered by good will alone.

The nautic jets are death traps, but my fave ride there. They really are fun. I remember a couple of instances where they have flipped over nearly downing the riders. Very surprised h&d haven't shut them/it down.

There really is an abundance of space. Also the pavilion hosts a large variety of events, weddings, proms, soul nights etc. The gardens really are lovely too.

I'm not sure if this is still the case, but the pirate ships were te largest in the uk at some point.

They really are the most intimidating double pirate ships imaginable. The noise is epic, they really are old school.

Sadly i never see any real investment though :(



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I like Wicksteed Park, it's a proper family day out. Do I dare say as well it's the cheapest in the UK because of the token system they use, in that, if you bring your Gran and she doesn't ride anything she can still visit without having to pay an entrance fee.

I went last September, the nautic jets were ace! Only thing was that the rollercoaster was down that day due to high winds I believe. I don't think we'll ever see massive investments, with the logflume probably as big and as themed as it'll get, but I'd love to see a couple of new thrilling flat rides or a travelling cheap rollercoaster.

Nothing better than a Picnic with Wicky Bear!
 
Local park to me, used to absolutely love it as a kid and visit every day in the summer holidays pretty much...did work experience there, had a great time.

Unfortunately now it's turned to crap, disorganised staff, rude staff on park and removals left and right of more popular rides with no worth while replacements. The log flume was a step in the right direction however they back pedalled fast and since then haven't bothered. I also don't expect to ring up 4 times to be told 4 different answers to then be told they're not bothering anymore.

Nice gardens, decent pirate ship, water chute is good and the train provides a nice way to relax but even that's had cuts....the play park is free but to be honest it has nothing going for it otherwise.
 
Wicksteed is sadly looking very tired and dated. I Used to go every year with the entire family.

The nautic Jets were brilliant but often went a little to far (deep) into the water. I believe one season they introduced a 14 stone weight limit to prevent this.

The old boat shoot still operational although was modified a few years back to prevent it derailing when rocked by the riders.... Always good for an extra couple of drops as they attempted to get it back on the rails. Spoil sports! Lol

Sadly unless someone big buys the place out,with very aged rides, increasing costs and falling visitors, the cracks are well formed to suffer the same ill fate as American Adventure.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
I wouldn't worry about Wicksteed looking so tired for much longer (not that I'd know as I've never been :p ) as there's a new Managing Director who's on a mission to get the park back on-track and broaden the park's appeal!


An article on Blooloop goes into detail about the new Managing Director , Alasdair McNee, who moved from Chester Zoo as their Commercial Director to work at Wicksteed. At Chester Zoo he apparently...
...oversaw a re-branding and a doubling in profits at the world famous attraction over four years, as well as introducing new restaurants and award-winning events.
Click to expand...

His plans include...
...a £2million project to improve the lake – the first stage in a wider scheme which will see the creation of a large amphitheatre, new pathways around the lake and arboretum and the creation of water play areas for children. Other plans include a zip wire for older children and teenagers and opening up the islands on the lake. The park’s elegant Edwardian pavilion and wedding venue has just been renovated as part of the continuing work to strengthen the attraction.
Click to expand...

McNee is keen to enhance the park's green spaces and the educational side of things, as well as get the local community and older guests more involved.



Make sure to read the full article as it's really interesting to see what's going to be going on at this attraction over the coming years. :)
 
No! No, just no :'(

This is the most intense Pirate Ship I've even been on, the sheer sound is intimidating on its own! It's easily the best attraction at Wicksteed.

Perhaps they are selling it because of its location. its right on its own at the top of the park, by the playground. Maybe it's noise complaints from the residents. Although I'd never dream of complaining, you can hear it over everything else. The shoddy maintenance is maybe taking its toll too? It certainly couldn't be moved. Apparently there are less than half of the amount of bolts in place to hold it down than required. Although at £80k, maybe remortgage? Don't think it would fit in the garden though :(
 
Looks like Wicksteed will likely return. Good news.

The operator of Wicksteed Park, one of the UK's oldest theme parks, went into administration last month, citing difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The attraction has been much-loved by families for generations, but can it be saved?

In 1921, the inventor and playground manufacturer Charles Wicksteed decided to put into practice his belief that all children, no matter how rich or poor, should have somewhere safe and fun to play outdoors.

Set in acres of parkland near Kettering, Northamptonshire, which he had purchased eight years previously, Wicksteed wanted the attraction to provide a new and exciting element to public open spaces.

He designed and installed some of his playground inventions, such as the Witch's Hat, and modern slides and swings.
Almost a century later, the park is still a place for all to play, relax and enjoy the thrill of a ride, just as he had hoped. But it is facing a fight for survival.

The financial burden of maintaining it, to a tune of £110,000 a month, has proven difficult to sustain.

Although the park is owned by a charitable trust, the trading company went into administration last month, resulting in the loss of 48 permanent staff and 67 part-time and other jobs.

Members of the public have helped raise £140,000 and it has received £247,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).
After Wicksteed Park Limited went into administration, a new company, Wicksteed Trading Limited, was set up. It has been able to buy most of the park's assets and is working on securing the rest.

The charitable trust said it aimed to keep funding the park and, when lockdown rules allow, reopen the pavilion for events.

So far, the park has been able to reopen its cafe, playground and ice cream parlour.
Rides and attractions are yet to reopen, due to the need for scheduled maintenance and inspection, along with social distancing measures.

Three workers made redundant have also been able to return.

Lee Scragg, managing director of Wicksteed Trading Limited, says the fundraising "just shows what a special place Wicksteed Park is and how important it is to many people".
Unlike most other theme parks, Wicksteed Park's visitors have free access to the 147-acre (59-hectare) site, but can buy wristbands for the rides and attractions.

These include the classic carousel and a water chute, installed in 1926 and thought to be among the oldest in the world.

Away from the cacophony of the fairground rides, families can take a rowing boat across the lake, see meerkats pop up from their burrows, or simply enjoy a picnic in the grounds.

Last year, its Edwardian pavilion, central piazza and original cottages were renovated.
"It's beautiful and so well-maintained, with an old-worldly feel to it - it's our gem," said Lucy Elliott, 36, who has lived nearby all her life.
Mrs Elliott's memories of family and school visits were so happy she decided to have her wedding reception there.

She now has children of her own who she frequently takes there and is keen to see it remain open.

As soon as she heard it had gone into administration, she set up a fundraising page and raised £4,800.

"I felt like I just had to spread the word," she said. "I felt like I needed to do something.
"It's made a lot of people go 'oh, we've got this special thing on our doorstep and we've taken it for granted'."

She now spends most weekends there with daughters Annabelle, 10, and Amelia, eight, and even though they live in walking distance, they pay for an annual parking pass to support the park.

While fundraising was "going in the right direction" she said "it's going to be a bit of long haul to get the park back open in the way we know it".

Cafe worker Holly Simms is pleased to be back.

"It was really heartbreaking that I lost my job, I love it here so much," she said.

"Once I applied for this job and got accepted, I was over the moon, I couldn't wait to get back."

Mr Scragg said he hoped to bring back more staff as attractions - such as the train and carousel - and the campsite reopened.
A new streamline company, Wicksteed Trading, has been set up and Mr Scragg said the funds raised and the NLHF grant "surpassed all of our expectations".

The park aims to reopen fully in Easter 2021 and host a programme of centenary events.
"Next year is a massive year for the park and we want to be in a position where we can really celebrate not only the park but also Charles Wicksteed," said Mr Scragg.

"We are in a better place than we were a month ago and I'm confident we will be able to keep the park open.

"We are looking at all different types of business modelling to make sure we have a sustainable future and a park that can survive the next 100 years."

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email [email protected]
Click to expand...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-53403000
 
Excellent news; anything that saves a theme park from closure is good news, in my book!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top