Iconic Water Chute has been thrilling customers for 100 years, but now needs our help

Britain’s oldest Water Chute, and one of the oldest surviving water-based rides in the world, can be found in Kettering, Northamptonshire at Wicksteed Park.

This iconic Water Chute 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 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.

2026 has been a huge year for the Water Chute. On 2nd April 2026, Wicksteed Park’s Water Chute reached its 100th birthday. It was a day full 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. Then on 1st September 2026, the Water Chute had its 1 millionth splashdown with ten members of the public invited to be part of this historic ride.

Now this much-loved heritage attractions needs our help.

Essential roof restoration work is required to protect the future of the Water Chute and ensure it can continue delighting visitors for generations to come. To help make this happen, Wicksteed Charitable Trust has launched the Water Chute Appeal to raise £30,000 towards these vital repairs. But this appeal is about far more than restoring a roof.

It’s about protecting an important part of Wicksteed Park’s history, preserving one of Britain’s most iconic historic rides and ensuring future generations can continue making memories at the home of children’s play.

There are lots of ways you can support the appeal. Whether you choose to donate, organise your own fundraiser, volunteer your time, become a Friend of Wicksteed, support us through your business or simply help spread the word, every act of support makes a difference.

You can donate by visiting the dedicated ‘Water Chute Appeal’ JustGiving page, or find out more by contacting fundraising@wicksteedpark.org

Together, we can help protect one of Wicksteed Park’s most treasured attractions and ensure it continues creating smiles, laughter and memories for the next 100 years.

Love Wicksteed. Get Involved.