Full list of major attractions SHUT as Storm Eunice hits: Legoland and National Trust sites close in wind alert
DOZENS of major attractions have been shut down for the day as forecasters fear 100mph winds could be the worst to hit the country in 30 years.
Chessington World of Adventures, Legoland in Windsor and the London Eye will stay shuttered until the weekend after two ultra rare red weather warnings were issued by the Met Office.
Eunice has already shut schools in parts of the UK with pupils told to stay at home.
An emergency Cobra meeting has also been called with ministers set to meet in Whitehall to thrash out a response to the mega gale.
Soldiers are on standby as Eunice threatens to blow off roofs, bring down power lines and send dangerous debris flying.
And the storm has sparked half-term chaos for bored families who will be forced to stay inside as dangerous gales take hold.
Several major attractions will be shut today as 100mph winds tear across the country.
The popular Chessington World of Adventures, Longleat and Legoland in Windsor have all taken the decision to close.
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CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES
Chessington World of Adventures has shut its gates to protect its staff, guests and animals as Eunice swoops in.
The resort said: "Due to the weather warning issued by the Met Office for high winds, we have made the difficult decision to close Chessington World of Adventures Resort today, Friday 18th February, as a precautionary measure to protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, guests, and animals in our care.
"If you have a ticket for tomorrow you will have been sent communication direct to your email with your options, you will be able to rebook for another day in the year.
"If you have a hotel stay booked with us, you will have received an email with your options.
"Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to welcoming you back soon."
LEGOLAND
Legoland will be shut on Friday over safety fears as Eunice batters the UK.
A statement released by the Windsor attraction said: "Due to the weather warning issued by the Met Office we've made the difficult decision to close the resort (on Friday).
"If you're due to visit we'll be in touch to discuss re-booking. We apologise for the disappointment and look forward to welcoming you back soon!"
KEW GARDENS
Kew Gardens in London will be closed.
The world-famous attraction said: "Kew Gardens and Wakehurst will be closed on Friday 18 February 2022 due to adverse weather conditions.
"If you have a pre-booked ticket, your ticketing provider will be in touch with more information. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused."
LONDON EYE
The London Eye will also remain closed today.
A statement issued on Thursday said: "Due to severe weather disruption the London Eye and River Cruise has taken the difficult decision to close tomorrow.
"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused."
LONDON ZOO
London Zoo has been shut for the day.
A statement said: "Due to Storm Eunice weather warnings, and in line with our adverse weather policy, London Zoo will be closed on Friday 18 February.
"We expect to reopen on Saturday 19 February.
"If you have booked for Friday, don't worry - we'll be in touch with you soon. Thank you for your understanding."
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo has also been closed for the safety of visitors, staff and the animals.
CHESTER ZOO
Like many other zoos across the UK, Chester Zoo has made the decision to close for the day for everyone's safety.
The zoo said on Thursday: "It’s due to be a bit wild and windy out there tomorrow! So, for everyone’s safety we’re going to keep our gates closed on Friday.
"If you have tickets to the zoo for Friday then we’ve automatically extended them to the end of Feb 2023. Just keep hold of your booking and you’ll be able to use them any time you like from now until then.
"We do apologise for having to delay your plans but we really hope you understand.
"We hope to be open again Saturday, so please check back on our website and social media channels for updates and confirmation."
HAMPTON COURT PALACE
Hampton Court Palace has been closed today.
The palace said: "Due to adverse weather conditions the palace, gardens and Home Park are closed on Friday 18 February."
SPINNAKER TOWER
Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth has been closed today due the rampaging winds from Eunice.
The attraction said: "Due to dangerous winds we have taken the decision to close today.
"We will be opening tomorrow as usual."
BRITISH AIRWAYS i360
The iconic British Airways i360 Viewing Tower in Brighton has been shut.
They said: "Due to the strong gusting wind speeds from storm Eunice, we have suspended BAi360 flights for today.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Full refunds or rebookings are available to affected pre-booked guests."
WINDSOR CASTLE
Windsor Castle has been closed to visitors on Friday due to "adverse weather conditions".
A statement said: "Windsor Castle will be closed on Friday, 18 February due to adverse weather conditions."
STONEHENGE
With 100mph winds expected in some parts of the UK, Stonehenge has been shut until the weekend.
The English Heritage site said: "Due to severe weather, Stonehenge is closed on Friday 18th February.
"We anticipate re-opening as planned on Saturday 19th February."
EDEN PROJECT
The Eden Project in Cornwall - the world's largest indoor rainforest - has been shut to visitors today as winds rip through the area.
A statement said: "Due to the high winds, on safety grounds we have decided to close the Eden Project site to visitors today, Friday 18 February.
"We plan to re-open tomorrow and will post updates here on our website and social media channels.
"We apologise for any inconvenience to visitors who had booked to come to Eden today."
LONGLEAT
Longleat said it has "regrettably" taken the "difficult decision to close the park".
Anyone who had been due to visit on Friday will receive a full refund within a fortnight.
A statement on Thursday said: "Due to the expected high winds forecast for tomorrow, regrettably we have taken the difficult decision to close the park to all guests.
"Anyone booked for this date will automatically receive a full refund within two weeks.
"Wind conditions are set to improve from Saturday 19th February and we expect to re-open as normal, but we will provide any updates here.
"Anyone who has booked for Friday, along with guests booked on VIP experiences or staying in our cottages will be contacted directly with further details."
CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL
The famous Canterbury Cathedral has been shut for the day amid Storm Eunice.
A statement said: "Due to adverse weather conditions the Cathedral is closed today.
"The Health & Safety of our staff and visitors is our main priority. We apologise for any inconvenience."
NATIONAL TRUST
A number of National Trust sites are closing their doors as the area is set to be battered by rampaging winds.
The south east branch of the National Trust said: "Due to high winds forecast we may have to temporarily close some of our places over the next few days. Please check our website before you travel."
Mottisfont, near Romsey, was one of the first Hampshire sites to confirm their closure.
The stately home said it will be closed on Friday due to the strong winds.
It said: "Mottisfont will be closed on Friday 18 February due to high wind speeds posing a safety risk.
"We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. We plan to re-open on Saturday 19 February, and look forward to welcoming you back safely."
A spokesperson from the National Trust confirmed The Vyne in Basingstoke and Hinton Ampner, near Alresford, will also be closed, reports.
Uppark House and Garden in the South Downs will also be shut.
Marwell Zoo, a 140-acre zoo near Winchester, will also be closed to visitors.
In Surrey, Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, is among other National Trust sites closing for the day in anticipation for the mega gale.
The trust said it might open later on Saturday - but a decision will be put on hold "whilst we assess any damage".
Hatchlands Park in East Clandon, Claremont Landscape Garden in Esher and Winkworth Arboretum in Godalming will also be shut on Friday.
Painshill Park has also decided to shut its gates.
The website states: "All ticket holders will be contacted asap and moved to a new date.
"We hope to be open on Saturday, February 19. However please check this message before travelling."
The West Midlands Safari Park, Salisbury Cathedral, Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire and the National Holocaust Centre in Nottinghamshire will also be shut for the day.
'DANGER TO LIFE'
Eunice could be the worst storm in years - with forecasters saying gales could be stronger than on Burns Night in 1990 when speeds reached 107mph.
Gusts of up to 92mph have already been recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, the Met Office said.
Brits have also been warned to NOT travel on the roads after a man tragically died during Storm Dudley's unrelenting winds on Wednesday night.
And schools have been shut in Wales with pupils told to stay at home to avoid the potentially deadly winds.
As Britain braces for Storm Eunice...
- Motorists warned to NOT travel by RAC unless absolutely necessary
- All trains in Wales cancelled for Friday
- Schools in majority of Welsh areas closed as pupils told to stay at home
- Bristol City Council was advising schools to close in the city because of the torrent
- A man died falling of a HGV lorry on Wednesday during Storm Dudley
- Storm Eunice set to be the worst storm UK has seen in years
- Brits bracing for 100mph winds and 8inches snow in the north
- Network Rail said disruption tomorrow is 'inevitable'
- Met Office upgraded storm to red warning - bringing 'danger to life'
- Legoland, Chessington World of Adventures, Longleat and London Eye closed on Friday because of severe weather
- Thirteen pedigree dogs were electrocuted to death after a falling power line crashed onto a kennel
Met Office forecaster Becky Mitchell said: "With the wind gusts we are forecasting at the moment, we've only seen a handful of storms in the past 30 years that have brought similar gusts.
"It's got the potential to be up there as quite a notable storm."
The Met Office issues warnings ahead of severe or hazardous weather which has the potential to cause "damage, widespread disruption and danger to life."
The warnings are given a colour to reflect the seriousness and likelihood of the impact, ranging from yellow, amber and red.
Red is the most serious of the weather warnings.
It means "extreme weather" and danger to life is expected.
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