Winter Wonderland visitors will have a late start today (New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1, 2025) as the attraction has been forced to open later than usual due to bad weather conditions. The Met Office has imposed a yellow weather warning for wind across much of England and Wales today until 3pm, with a chance of disruption for travelling, damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from roofs and potential power cuts.
According to the Met Office latest forecast for London, gusts of wind are set to reach 54mph this morning before easing to 34mph at 2pm. Kensington Palace will be fully closed to visitors while Royal Parks across London, including Hyde Park, are not expected to open until 2pm.
In a statement on X, a Winter Wonderland spokesperson said: “In line with the royal parks closure of Hyde Park due to high winds, we will not be opening Hyde Park Winter Wonderland until 2pm on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. The safety of our visitors and out staff are our top priority and we are sorry for any disappointment caused. All affected ticketholders have been contacted directly.
Winter Wonderland attracts millions of visitors
(Image: Getty Images)
“The event will be operating as normal from 2pm. Any pre-booked entry and attraction tickets up to and including 2pm will be valid for the rest of the day. If you are not able to attend the later sessions, you will be able to reschedule your booking for a later date.
“Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be open until January 5 and there is currently plenty of availability throughout the rest of the event.”
Royal Parks posted on X: “Due to a yellow weather warning of severe wind gusts all Royal Parks will be subject to a delayed opening on Wednesday 1 January. This includes all cafes, kiosks, park roads & cycleways. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
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