Visitors relive youth on 100-year-old water chute

Visitors to a theme park have been taking a nostalgic plunge on one of the oldest water rides in the world as the attraction turns 100.

The water chute at Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, was designed by the park's founder Charles Wicksteed in 1926 and awarded Grade II listed building status by Historic England in 2016.

As part of its centenary celebrations, park goers have been able to relive their youth and ride the attraction for the humble price of 100 pennies.

Mia Haggar, social media executive for the park, said: "People are quite fond of it, it holds a really special place in everyone's heart. It's quite a nostalgic ride and I like to see it as very multigenerational."

The attraction has remained largely unchanged in its time in the park, however, in 1931 the tower's flat roof was replaced to match the "house style" of other structures at the site.

Visitors are seated in a wooden flat-bottomed boat which slowly releases to roll down a track into the lake, creating a big splash.

Using a rope-pulley mechanism attached to the rear of the carriage, the boat then makes its way back to the top - ready for the next group of visitors.

Here visitors explain its charm and why they love the water chute so much.

Among the attraction's first thrill-seekers on Thursday were 11-year-old Freya and her mum Cara.

Despite being "very nervous" before going on the ride, Freya said it was "really fun".

From the age of four, her mum Cara grew up in a bungalow on the park after her dad got a job working there.

"I used to look out my bedroom window, look at the old Ferris wheel and the dodgems and sneak out the front garden," she said.

"I used to come down here watch the boat, watch the water chute, look at the train and I would always come to where the ducks would be... my mum would find out, call the security guard who would come down in his little transit van and pick me up and take me back to the bungalow and tell me off."

Riding the water chute, she said its charm was the memories made on it.

"Everyone gets to let go of any stress, any worries, scream it out, laugh at everything and try not to get too wet," she added.

"Everyone gets to be kids again which is important."

Amber McAllister said she has always been petrified of the water chute at Wicksteed Park.

She said: "I've never been on it... I loved the splash at the end.

"I just needed to come down and see everyone else having all the fun today."

In the 1990s with her sister and cousin, she modelled for a brochure displaying play equipment on offer at the park, which remained one of her "favourite memories".

"I also grew up just over the road, we always joked and said Wicksteed Park was our back garden because we were here so often," she said.

In its 100th year, the chute shares a birthday with Peggy Lade - who becomes a centenarian in November.

"I didn't realise it until they said about coming for the 100th," she said.

"So it's really nice, I'm glad to be coming here on the day [it turns 100]."

The park itself turned 100 in 2021 and Lade said it has changed a lot since she last saw it.

"We came to Wicksteed Park with Sunday school just for tea, the train and the slides," she remembers.

"The chute was later on. I came when I was 12 and over the years I have come with friends and then my children."

Haggar said: "It's quite iconic. It's a huge part of history and heritage not just for Wicksteed Park but for locals as well.

"Its remained pretty much unchanged but it still thrills people in quite a unique and interesting way.

"Someone's mum has been on it, their grandma's been on it. It just goes back and everyone has wonderful memories of our wonderful water chute."

Do you have a story suggestion for Northamptonshire? Contact us below.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.