Wicksteed Park
BEST FOR
Ages 0-8
ENTRY
Free
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Kettering
What it’s like
Over 25 rides, a duck-feeding lake and a miniature train, with a wristband that lets small legs go round again and again.
The rides are the whole point here. Over 25 of them dotted through the park, plus a garden wheel, a miniature train and nature trails if anyone needs a breather from the queueing. It's an outdoor park so weather matters, and the site itself flags that rides can close for maintenance or bad weather, which is a fair warning rather than a small print dodge.
Money-wise, you've got choices. A single ride ticket is £3.50, which adds up fast with more than one child, so the £22 wristband makes sense the moment you're doing more than six rides each. Under 0.9m go free on the wristband, which is a nice touch for anyone still hauling a toddler about. Families can book a dated wristband package too, £56 for three up to £88 for five, and if you know you'll be back the annual versions start at £90 for one person or £249 for a family of three.
Wicky's Play Factory runs as a separate two-hour slot at £6, open daily from half nine to half five, and it's worth building that into the day rather than assuming it's included in the wristband. Opening hours shift with the seasons, from a short winter window of 5:30am to 4:30pm through to summer evenings until 8:30pm, so check which month you're going for before you plan your last ride.
There's a café on site and the usual toilet blocks dotted around, dogs are allowed on the lead everywhere except inside the shops, and parking is charged no matter when you turn up, paid on the day by app or machine near the Adventure Zone booth. First aid is only staffed on ride operating days, which is worth knowing if you're visiting on a quieter off-season day.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Under 8s, with rides and a play barn pitched at younger kids
- Parking
- Charges apply at all times
- Dogs
- Allowed on lead. Must wait outside retail outlets
- Worth knowing
- Children under 0.9m go free on wristbands
- The wristband is non-refundable once bought, so check who's actually coming before you pay
- Wicky's Play Factory is a separate £6 charge on top of the wristband, not included in it
- There's a duck feeding station by the lake bridge, but feeding wildlife elsewhere in the park isn't allowed
- Annual wristbands start at £90 and pay for themselves if you're local and visiting more than a couple of times a year
Plan your visit
How much does it cost to get in?
Getting into the park itself is free. You pay per ride at £3.50 a go, or £22 for a wristband that covers unlimited rides all day.
Is the wristband better value than paying per ride?
If you're doing more than about six rides each, the wristband works out cheaper. Under 0.9m tall goes free on it too.
Do we need to book in advance?
Tickets can be bought on the day at the booths opposite the gift shop, though event tickets need booking online beforehand.
What age is it suited to?
It's aimed at younger children, roughly up to eight, with the rides and Play Factory pitched at that age.
Is there anything for a toddler?
Wicky's Play Factory is a two-hour indoor play slot at £6, and there's a duck feeding station by the lake bridge for something gentler.
What about parking?
Parking is charged every time you visit, paid on the day via the app or the machines near the Adventure Zone ticket booth. Blue badge bays are available.
Can we bring the dog?
Yes, on a lead throughout the park, though dogs have to wait outside the shops and cafes.
What happens if it rains?
The park stays open but some rides can close for weather or maintenance, so don't bank on every ride being running on the day.
What time does the park open and close?
It opens from 5:30am year round, closing anywhere from 4:30pm in the winter months to 8:30pm through the summer.
Is there first aid on site?
Yes, but only on days the rides are actually running, so it's not staffed on every opening day.
Do you take school or group bookings?
School and large group bookings are accepted, arranged directly with the park by email.
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