“The Playground should not be put in a corner behind railings, but in a conspicuous and beautiful part of a Park, free to all, where people can enjoy the play and charming scenery at the same time; where mothers can sit, while they are looking on and caring for their children.”
These words from our founder, Charles Wicksteed, still guide everything we do today. As we celebrate 150 years of Wicksteed in 2026, this vision of inclusive, accessible and beautifully designed play spaces remains at the heart of our work.
For a century and a half, Wicksteed has helped shape playgrounds across the UK—creating places where communities come together, children thrive, and play is truly for everyone. This milestone isn’t just about looking back; it’s a celebration of innovation, imagination and the power of play.
Where It All Began
Wicksteed’s story starts in 1876, when Charles Wicksteed founded Charles Wicksteed & Co. What began as a business servicing agricultural machinery quickly earned a reputation for forward-thinking engineering.
Charles was a true innovator, manufacturing the world’s first hydraulic hacksaw, inventing a bread-slicing and buttering machine, and developing early automatic gearbox technology. This spirit of innovation laid the foundations for Wicksteed as we know it today.
From the very beginning, three principles have guided us:
- Quality
- Problem-solving
- Innovation
They still shape everything we do.
Our Journey Into Playground Innovation
In 1914, production shifted to support the war effort. But it was what came next that changed everything.
In 1918, Charles created swing frames in Wicksteed Park as a simple ‘school treat’. That moment sparked something much bigger—the beginning of Wicksteed’s journey into playground equipment manufacturing.
From those early swings, we went on to help shape the future of play:
- Contributing to the development of early playground equipment in the UK
- Helping establish the first UK playground safety standard (BS3178)
- Leading the way in product testing and safety, including independently testing and kitemarking to BS5696 in 1979
In 1983, Wicksteed Leisure was officially formed, marking a new chapter in our story.
Building a Legacy of Trust and Innovation
Over the years, we’ve continued to evolve and invest in innovation, raising industry standards and strengthening our reputation as a leading playground equipment manufacturer in the UK.
Some of the milestones that have shaped our journey include:
- 1984 – Becoming a founding member of the Association of Play Industries (API), helping to build trust and set standards across the sector
- 1988 – Achieving ISO 9001 (formerly BS 5750), reinforcing our commitment to quality manufacturing
- 2004 – Investing in a state-of-the-art zinc plant to enhance product durability and finish
- 2010 – Securing ISO 14001 certification, underlining our focus on environmental responsibility
More recently, our focus has been on smart manufacturing and continuous improvement:
- 2023 – Introducing a new CNC Press Brake, boosting efficiency, precision and flexibility across our production process
- 2025 – Welcoming the Mayor of Kettering to officially unveil our latest CNC Router—another step forward in delivering high-quality, creative and precisely engineered play equipment
Every investment we make is about one thing: creating better play experiences. From craftsmanship to cutting-edge technology, we’re constantly evolving to deliver playgrounds that stand the test of time.
Wicksteed Today: Leaders in Play
Today, Wicksteed Leisure is proud to be the UK’s most trusted playground specialists.
We design, manufacture and install a wide range of playground equipment, including:
We work in multiple sectors and offer various key services, including detailed playground design, playground equipment design, and playground installation.
The Next Chapter of Play
While we’re proud of our 150-year heritage, we’re even more excited about what comes next.
Our commitment to innovation, sustainability and inclusive play is stronger than ever. We’ll continue to push boundaries, create inspiring play spaces, and help communities thrive through the power of play.
To all our customers, partners and communities, thank you for being part of our journey.
If you’re looking for a playground equipment manufacturer with proven expertise, trusted values and a passion for play, we’d love to hear from you and help bring your vision to life.