The free-to-enter English parklands that mums say are better than a theme park – with more than 25 rides and attractions

WITH half term on the horizon, my family and I will be heading to a free parkland, packed with rides and attractions which lots its visitors reckon is better than some of the top theme parks. 

Wicksteed Park near Kettering is perfect for an awesome autumn day out as it’s got rides for all ages, 147 acres of green space and lots of spooky stuff as we head towards Halloween.

One of the best bits about a day trip here is that it’s free for all to access.

You just pay for parking and for rides, so families can have a day out together without everyone paying an entry fee.

It makes a nice change from needing a ticket per person, even if half your party has no intention of going on any rides.

If you just want to go on one or two attractions, you can buy individual ride tickets for £3.

If you want to try out everything the park has to offer, you can get a wristband that covers as many rides as you like, all day long.

There’s also a huge free playground full of Wicksteed wonders, including heritage equipment, as a nod back to the early days of play when Charles Wicksteed first created the parkland in 1921.

So if you bring a picnic and stick to the freebie fun, you can have a low-cost day out without spending much at all. Perfect for all pockets!

I’ve been visiting this Midlands must-do for four decades and it’s just as much fun as when I was a child, with lots of the old family favourites still on site and plenty of new attractions to boot.

It wouldn’t really be a proper trip to Wicksteed without a ride on the little train that takes you around the lake.

So many people have enjoyed the railway that the park recently celebrated its 20 millionth passenger, with the lucky rider being granted free turns around the track for the rest of her life. 

Also much-loved is the UK’s oldest water chute, still in operation after almost 100 years, although there is also a more modern log flume if water rides are your thing. 

One new attraction I’m really looking forward to this time around is the Halloween Haunt, which is only in operation this month.

This fright fest has been installed by Steve and Kat Richardson, known as Mr and Mrs Halloween, whose hoard of 2,000 collectibles, props, and animatronics, amassed over 10 years, is believed to be the largest in the UK.

After decorating their garden at Cemetery House in Rushden every year for charity, the increasing number of people attending meant they had to look for somewhere bigger.

They have spent four months building the 200ft long interactive experience from scratch, providing a junior walkthrough of Halloween inflatables with an I-spy game for those who don’t want to brave the full haunted house.

You have to book a time slot online to guarantee entry and the Halloween Haunt will only run up to October 31.

The spooky fun is included in the £15 ride wristband, as are the railway, carousel, Swayrider, the Garden Wheel, Wicky’s Farmyard, Meerkat Manor, crazy golf, Lighthouse, cups and saucers, roundabout, Clown Coaster, astroslide and the treetop walk.

One thing to be aware of is that this huge park doesn’t open all its zones in quieter months, so this time around, the splash and thrill areas are closed.

That means you can’t try out most of the rollercoasters and water rides at the moment.

But there’s still loads to do and see, including the popular annual fireworks on November 2 at 5pm.

Wicksteed is always one of our halfterm highlights and we can’t wait to take a trip.

With so much on offer, it’s no wonder that Wicksteed’s now known as the home of children’s play.