Customers frustrated over second day cancellation of Bedgebury Christmas Lights
15:54, 15 December 2022
updated: 17:14, 15 December 2022
People who have tickets for a popular festive lights event have had to try and rebook after it was cancelled.
Christmas at Bedgebury has been axed for the second day running due to large amounts of snow blocking pathways.
The 90 minute-long trail features colourful installations including light tunnels, Christmas trees and flickering flames.
It has been open since Friday, November 18 and is running on select dates until Monday, January 2.
The organisers were updating customers on Facebook, saying that the park will remain closed today and tomorrow morning.
It said: "Our team are working as swiftly as possible to clear paths with the help from snow ploughs to make the site safe to welcome you again.
"We experienced the heaviest downfall of snow in many years and with ongoing freezing temperatures, it is a huge task to move this amount of snow and compacted ice.
"Please check back for regular updates before travelling. Thank you for your patience and understanding."
At 11.30am, it was confirmed that the Christmas event would be cancelled as well.
They added: "Tonight’s ticket holders will be contacted shortly by See Tickets and informed of the re-booking process.
"We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused."
Despite Bedgebury offering a rebooking system, many ticket holders have claimed they haven't been able to choose any other available dates.
'It is a huge task to move this amount of snow and compacted ice...'
Lawrence Bennett commented: "Re-booking doesn't seem possible...I've followed the link in the email I was sent cancelling tonight's booking.
"There's only availability after Christmas now, but even the days that show excellent availability, will not let me exchange the tickets I've paid for."
Others were upset over the fact that the events team haven't been updating families quick enough, with many travelling from Essex and West Sussex.
Bev Wood said: "We're supposed to be going tomorrow too.
"Don't think it will happen until it thaws.
"Bit ironic when it's a Christmas event in the forest, maybe Bedgebury needs a plan B for the future?
"Fingers crossed for everyone going in the next couple of days."
Sarah-Taye Allen added: "My email states about having priority for next years tickets, no chance of getting an alternative slot that suits us this year."
Another person asked if they could transfer the tickets to the Leeds Castle trail – which is designed by the same team behind Bedgebury.
Both Leeds Castle in Maidstone and Cobtree Manor Park in Aylesford have had to axe their events at the beginning of the week due to the extreme weather conditions.
Cobtree have announced this afternoon that their "Glow Illumination Trail" is reopening today, after four days of cancellations.
It stated: "We have been working very hard to clear the paths for the last few days.
"We cannot sadly remove all ice and snow (we wish we could!) so of course some paths will still be slippery as the temperatures are still very low, so you must wear appropriate footwear.
"It will be cold (being a winter outdoor event!) so please wear plenty of layers.
"If you have any access needs then you might want to consider rebooking for another date if you have any concerns, but we’ll leave that decision up to you.
"We look forward to welcoming you soon!"