Chessington World of Adventures will reopen on Saturday after police said the security threat that closed the resort was an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public.
The resort’s hotel reopens today, Monday 9 November, and the theme park itself will welcome visitors back as planned on Saturday 14 November, its operator Merlin Entertainments has confirmed.
Chessington was shut down on Sunday after a threat was made that morning. Officers and sniffer dogs were seen at the scene on Leatherhead Road as the resort was evacuated and closed as a precaution.
A spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments said in a statement on Sunday: “Following a security incident earlier today, and in close coordination with the Metropolitan Police, we immediately implemented our well-rehearsed safety procedures and closed the resort as a precaution.”
“The hotel will reopen tomorrow, Monday, November 9 and the Resort will reopen as planned on Saturday, November 14. The safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff remain our highest priority. We would like to thank our guests for their patience and understanding, and our teams for their swift response and support.”
The Metropolitan Police said the matter had been assessed and no security issues had been identified. A spokesperson said: “This is believed to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public.” The police statement did not say who made the threat.
The resort sits on Leatherhead Road in Chessington, in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, and is one of the largest theme parks in the south of England, with rides, a zoo and an aquarium on the same site. Its closure on a Sunday in November, when many families visit for a weekend day out, left staff and visitors alike waiting for news through the day.
A difficult Sunday for visitors
The closure came at the start of what should have been a busy Sunday for the resort, which combines a theme park, zoo and aquarium in south-west London. Guests were evacuated on Sunday morning after the threat was reported, with police dogs searching the park.
By Sunday afternoon, the resort had closed for the rest of the day, and ticket holders were told their tickets would be accepted at LEGOLAND Windsor instead. Later that day, police confirmed no security threat had been found and gave the all-clear.
Hotel guests who had been due to stay on Sunday night were affected by the closure, and the resort’s announcement that the hotel reopens today will come as a relief to those with bookings this week. The theme park itself, however, will stay shut until Saturday, when it reopens as planned.
Chessington is one of the capital’s biggest family attractions, drawing visitors from across London and the South East. Its closure on Sunday left many families who had travelled to the resort having to change their plans at short notice, with some heading to LEGOLAND Windsor on the tickets offered in its place.
Visitors planning a trip this week are advised to check the resort’s website before travelling, and to keep an eye on its social media channels for any further updates.
