Storm Bert forces closure of Christmas in Cambridge festive village on Parker’s Piece
The Christmas in Cambridge festive village on Parker’s Piece was closed on Sunday (24 November) due to the high winds.
The gates were shut, with signs outside apologising for the inconvenience and offering ticket holders who had booked one of the attractions the option of a refund or rescheduling.
Subject to the weather, the Christmas village is due to reopen at 11am on Monday (25 November).
Meanwhile, Milton Country Park was also closed at the weekend, and will reopen on Monday once the winds have died down and inspections have been carried out.
The organiser of the Christmas in Cambridge attraction, Seventa Events, said on Sunday: “Unfortunately, due to the impact of Storm Bert, we have made the difficult decision to close for the day to ensure everyone’s safety.
“All ticket holders will be refunded or given the option to reschedule for another date - our team will be in touch with you directly.
“We’re so sorry for any inconvenience caused, but we can’t wait to welcome you back soon for all the festive fun! Stay safe, and keep an eye on our socials for further updates.”
The Christmas attraction, which opened on 14 November and runs until 5 January, features an ice rink, curling, domes that provide places to eat and drink, an alpine lodge, Christmas tree maze, The Après Terrace bar and Big Wheel.
Up to December 13, it is due to open from 11am-10pm from Monday to Thursday, 10am-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 10am-10pm on Sundays.
From December 14, it will open from 10am-10pm from Sunday to Thursday, with the 10am-11pm times continuing on Fridays and Saturdays. It will be closed on Christmas Day, and open from 10am-10pm on the final day - Sunday, 5 January.
Market stalls will open from 11am-8pm until 20 December and from 10am-8pm from 21-24 December.
Entry to the site itself is free. Prices for the attractions, such as ice skating and the big wheel, vary and can be booked in advance.
The site will be closed, however, from 4pm on Thursday, 5 December and Saturday, 7 December for private functions.
Seventa Events has a seven-year deal with Cambridge City Council to run the festive village.
On Saturday (23 November), Milton Country Park closed at 3.30pm.
The park, run by Cambridge Sport Lakes Trust, said on Saturday: “Unfortunately due to high winds we are having to close the park. The park will be closed from around 3.30pm today until the wind speeds drop (hopefully Monday morning). This is for everyone's safety! The park will reopen after it has been checked on Monday morning so please bear with us. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Storm Bert has brought devastating floods to parts of the UK, particularly Wales.
