Free rides for life prize offered by Wicksteed Park railway

The UK’s most popular narrow gauge railway is celebrating its 20millionth passenger – by offering the lucky visitor free rides for life!

The railway at Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire, was the idea of park founder Charles Wicksteed, the inventor of the modern-day slide and swing. He opened the park as part of his vision to improve families' health and well-being.

The railway was opened at Whitsun in 1931, shortly after Charles’ death. It now carries more than 200,000 passengers a year around the park, which has become known as the home of children’s play.

Passenger records show that the 20 millionth passenger is due to board for a ride around the 2km track sometime next week. (w/c Aug 26).

The lucky passenger will be presented with a golden ticket which entitles them to free travel on the railway for life.

Wicksteed Park Railway takes visitors around the lake and through picturesque parkland. It is Britain’s most popular 2 ft (610 mm) narrow narrow-gauge railway and is supported by the Friends of the Wicksteed Park Railway.

Wicksteed Park director Kelly Richardson said: “The railway has been an iconic part of the park for generations and is becoming ever more popular with adults and children alike.

“To this day the park holds true to Charles Wicksteed’s ethos of inspiring young people to make the most of its amazing green spaces and enjoy play as part of a fit and healthy lifestyle.

“The railway, which runs through the heart of the park, is the perfect demonstration of that.

“I hope that whoever is lucky enough to get the golden ticket enjoys it for many years to come.”

Charles Wicksteed decided to build a railway following on from the success of his early rides and attractions.

The first two engines (named King Arthur and Lady of the Lake) and their carriages were ordered on September 24th 1930, and the ground works were completed over the winter of the same year.

Wicksteed Park’s rides and attractions are open throughout summer holidays. Find out more here: https://wicksteedpark.org/events/summer-adventures/

You can enjoy the park’s new Jolly Jockeys attraction as well as rides like Dinosaur Valley and Rocky River Falls or favourites such as the Paratrooper, the Dodgems, the Train, Sway Rider and the Carousel.

To boost the enjoyment, the park has reduced pre-booked, dated wristbands to just £20, held individual ride tickets at £3 and now children under 0.9m go for free when accompanied by someone who has paid for a ticket or wristband.

It has also launched a range of discounted family wristbands, costing just £56 (family of three), £72 (family of four) and £88 (family of five), offering a saving of up to £12.

Wicksteed Park combines a 281-acre estate including 147 acres of beautiful parkland with more than 30 rides and attractions for all the family. 

It was opened in 1921 by Charles Wicksteed, the creator of swings and slides as we know them today, who had a vision to inspire and encourage play as part of families' health and wellbeing.

The Wicksteed Charitable Trust was formed to ensure his work continued after his death and the park has become known as the home of children’s play.