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Christmas at Bedgebury lights trail cancelled for third day due to unsafe conditions

15:08, 14 December 2022

updated: 18:04, 16 December 2022

A popular Christmas event has been cancelled for a third day due to icy pathways.

Bedgebury Pinetum, near Goudhurst, has had to tell ticket-holders its lights display is off, with some worried that it may be closed for the weekend.

Christmas at Bedgebury has been cancelled tonight. Picture: Richard Haughton for Sony Music
Christmas at Bedgebury has been cancelled tonight. Picture: Richard Haughton for Sony Music

The after-dark trail winds through the countryside park and features installations including sparkling light tunnels, colourful Christmas trees and flickering flames.

It has been open since Friday, November 18 and will run on select dates until Monday, January 2.

Due to the trail being outdoors, it does have some uneven surfaces – but organisers say there is a fully accessible route with a mixture of hard standing, Tarmac footpaths and only one steep incline with assistance if needed.

Organisers posted an update on the parks condition via Facebook this morning.

"Due to continued icy conditions on site making it unsafe to host visitors, Christmas at Bedgebury is cancelled this evening," it said.

Families from all over the county come to visit the displays
Families from all over the county come to visit the displays

"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."

It added: "We hope to re-open sometime tomorrow morning and will share an update once we do.

"Our team are working as swiftly as possible to clear paths to make the site safe to welcome you again.

"The safety of our visitors is of utmost importance, and we thank you for your patience at this time."

The cathedral of light is a long-lasting favourite at the event
The cathedral of light is a long-lasting favourite at the event

After the initial announcement of the closure on Tuesday, many people expressed their frustration online.

One commented: "I know it’s really hard for you to say as it’s a few days away but with the temperature not warming up it’s unlikely to clear by the weekend.

"Is there any way of knowing if you will be open on the weekend as this is my children’s Christmas activity and is a four-hour round-trip for us.

"If it’s not on I would like to try and book something else for them to do."

Another said: "Absolutely ridiculous, the amount you must make each year through the lights, it snowed three days ago.

Glow Illumination Trail at Cobtree Manor Park. Picture: Lisa Carpendale
Glow Illumination Trail at Cobtree Manor Park. Picture: Lisa Carpendale

"Precautions should have been put in place for it being winter anyway, the sun has been out all day, a team should be covering the car park in grit etc.

"No more tickets can be bought as you are sold out.

"Well done guys for ruining Christmas for all. You can take our money quick enough."

Others were concerned regarding the re-booking, with some saying that there were no slots left before December 25.

The Glow Illumination Trail, at Cobtree Manor Park in Aylesford, took the decision to cancel their trail from Monday to Wednesday.

The festive trail in Aylesford was cancelled for the third day in a row. Picture: Lisa Carpendale
The festive trail in Aylesford was cancelled for the third day in a row. Picture: Lisa Carpendale

It was after heavy snow caused chaos throughout the county last Sunday and Monday morning.

Bosses said: "Sadly, due to the continuing sub-zero temperatures and icy conditions underfoot The Glow illumination Trail will again be closed.

"We are as disappointed as you are but we must keep our guests safe.

"Our entire Glow team are working non-stop to try and manually clear the paths so we can reopen, but we will keep customers updated as and when we have more information."

Customers who missed out can rebook tickets for another day, subject to availability, here.

Leeds Castle's lights event reopened to the public on Tuesday
Leeds Castle's lights event reopened to the public on Tuesday

Leeds Castle in Maidstone reopened Tuesday evening for its Christmas lights event, after pathways were cleared by the grounds team and assessed for safety.

An update on Wednesday confirmed that only the castle, the cinematic Queens with Means, dog collar museum, shops, Princess Alexandra Gardens and Woodland Walk will be open to the public.

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