Wicksteed Park

Wicksteed Park is an urban park with rides in Kettering, Northamptonshire. It stands on land once part of Barton Seagrave Hall estate, south-east of Kettering town centre. The park is owned by the Wicksteed Charitable Trust and run by its trading company. Charles Wicksteed bought the meadowland in 1913 to build a model village for his workers. After the First World War he changed plans and created a park with leisure facilities instead. The first playground equipment was installed in 1917 and an artificial lake was built in 1921. The park grew quickly in the 1920s and 1930s. By 1926 it had a pavilion, theatre, rose garden, water chute, bandstand and fountain. A narrow-gauge railway was added in 1931 and still carries visitors today. In 1935 the park welcomed a record 40,000 visitors on one August bank holiday. During the Second World War American troops were billeted in the pavilion. New attractions followed in the 1950s, including a cinema, miniature car track and pets corner. Visitors today find a mix of historic features and modern rides. The lake is fed by the Ise Brook and surrounded by paths. The water chute, now Grade II listed, still operates. The narrow-gauge railway winds around the lake edge. Barton Seagrave Hall, once part of the estate, now stands beyond the park. The park also hosts parkrun every Saturday and an annual fireworks display.