The UK’s oldest mainland theme park, Wicksteed Park in Kettering, Northamptonshire, has opened the new Garden Wheel ride.
The 25-metre-tall Ferris wheel includes 18 gondolas and offers amazing views of the amusement park and surrounding countryside.
“We’re incredibly excited to be able to officially launch the new Garden Wheel ride and for it to welcome its first passengers,” said Sam Towers, the park’s operations manager.
“It will provide an entirely new dimension to the visitor experience and offer an incredible bird’s-eye view of the park.”
Owned by Wicksteed Charitable Trust, the theme park opened in 1921. Its new Ferris wheel can accommodate up to 72 passengers and is located at the top end of the site.
“Since its launch back in 1921, Wicksteed Park has been at the forefront of providing people of all ages and backgrounds with a great day out,” Towers added.
“The Garden Wheel is a fantastic addition and we’re sure it will become a firm favourite with visitors.”
Wicksteed Park investments
The new ride is part of Wicksteed Park’s ongoing programme of investment, which over the past two years has included the Galaxy Invaders ride, a meerkat enclosure, a character show, and an animal barn called Wicky’s Farmyard.
Earlier this year, the UK’s oldest amusement park launched Extinction, its first-ever 360-degree rotation ride. Located on the Isle of Wight, Blackgang Chine opened in 1843. Extinction was designed and built by Zamperla, a leading ride manufacturer.
“We feel we have a responsibility to the Isle of Wight to promote it as a tourism destination, not just our two businesses,” Dominic Wray, who served as Blackgang’s manager, told blooloop.
