Celebrating Water Chute Centenary
One of the oldest surviving water-based rides in the world and the oldest ride of its kind in the UK is celebrating its centenary – by making a splash!
The iconic Water Chute attraction was built in 1926 by Wicksteed Park’s founder Charles Wicksteed, the creator of swings and slides as we know them today. It was a forerunner to many of the theme park rides now popular across the world.
The 100-year-old ride’s significance has earned it Grade II-listed building status from Historic England for its architecture and design: it survives almost as it was built, and the rider experience is the same as when it first opened.
The flat-bottomed “boat” resembles the original design, but is a modern replica of the original. Once seated, passengers experience a thrilling slide down the chute onto the surface of the river below, getting splashed as they hit the water.
The “boat” is then winched up again on a rope so that the passengers can exit the ride.
Wicksteed Park is marking the 100th anniversary – on Thursday April 2 – with a day of celebration, including allowing people to ride the Water Chute for just 100 pennies and inviting people to share their nostalgic memories of the ride from over the years.
Two members of the official Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain are also attempting to ride the Water Chute 100 times on centenary day.
Wicksteed Park Director Kelly Richardson said: “We are extremely proud of the Water Chute and its amazing history and heritage. It is a unique ride and means so much to so many people, who have such amazing memories of it from throughout their lives.
“Like so many of the rides and attractions on the park, it was a forerunner for theme parks and playgrounds around the world, ensuring that the legacy of Charles Wicksteed and his ingenuity and vision lives on.”
The Wicksteed Charitable Trust, which owns the park and is raising money to help maintain it, will have a stall next to the ride on the big day.
Other stalls will also be at the park on this day, with local community groups coming along to support the park, including the Wicksteed Model Boat Club and local businesses Boards of Kettering and Brightwayz!
The Water Chute – judged the country’s Best Historic Ride in the 2022 UK Theme Park Awards – and all Wicksteed Park’s rides and attractions are open throughout the Easter holidays, from March 28 to April 12.
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