Water Chute at Wicksteed Park

The water chute at Wicksteed Park dates from 1926 and was designed and manufactured by Charles Wicksteed. It is a distinctive structure adjacent to the river, oriented roughly south-west to north-east.

Architecturally, the chute comprises a simple two-storey building, rectangular in plan. The tower is constructed of yellow brick with a tiled roof and is reminiscent of a signal box, embodying an Arts and Crafts style. It features a hipped roof with sweeping overhanging eaves, and a stepped string course at the upper level, accented by shallow brick pilasters, that defines three bays on the front elevation. Two bays are open at the upper level, while the third (north) bay contains a six-pane metal-framed window. Access to the upper storey is via external iron staircases on the front and rear elevations; one provides ascent and one descent, and these are believed to be in Wicksteed’s design for children's slides.

An iron chute projects southwards, extending over and into the river to the north-east. This consists of two channels for the wheels of the passenger “boat” to run in, supported by ironwork and featuring simple tubular iron safety railings. Ground floor access is via two timber-plank doors on the north end of the building.

The ground floor appears to contain a single-cell storage area, accessible through the timber-plank doors. The upper storey is largely open, with platforms to either side of the central rail pit for passenger entry and exit. The north end contains an electric wheel used to winch the "boat" and passengers back up after the descent. A metal cage surrounds the winching area, and the roof structure is concealed by a timber, panelled ceiling. Passengers enter via the eastern "in" staircase, ascend to the semi-open upper floor, and are seated in a "boat" to experience a slide down the chute into the river. They are then winched back up and exit via the western staircase. The flat-bottomed "boat" is a modern replica of the original. The water chute remains in its original configuration, except for an early, minor alteration to the roof design made by Wicksteed.