Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, one of England’s premier visitor attractions, has announced a temporary closure due to hazardous weather conditions. Located in Longleat, Wiltshire, the park will remain closed on Monday, September 15, following a yellow warning for high winds issued by the Met Office.
The decision comes as strong winds pose significant safety risks to visitors and the park’s extensive 9,000-acre estate, which is home to thousands of vulnerable trees. Earlier today, Longleat had to cut short its popular “Icons of the Sky” balloon extravaganza as weather conditions worsened.
Scott Ashman, the park’s Head of Operations, emphasized that visitor safety is their top priority. “It was disappointing to end Icons of the Sky sooner than planned, but with wind gusts expected to reach over 50 mph, closing tomorrow is the safest course of action,” he explained.
READ MORE: Backwell Faces an ‘Absolutely Bananas’ Surge of 800 New Homes Amid Community Outcry
READ MORE: How Somerset Primary Schools Are Performing Since the Covid-19 Pandemic
Visitors with existing bookings can reschedule their visits until 1 pm on Tuesday; after that time, automatic refunds will be issued. While the closure disrupts many plans, the park assures guests that prioritizing safety remains essential.
“We understand the disappointment this may cause to families looking forward to their visit, but ensuring everyone’s safety is paramount,” Ashman added.