Ardingly Fireworks moves to Sunday 25 October, same times, Saturday tickets valid. Nymans and High Beeches shut today as two wind warnings cover Mid Sussex.
The Ardingly Fireworks Spectacular has been moved from Saturday to Sunday 25 October because of Storm Austen. Tickets bought for Saturday are valid on Sunday without anyone having to do anything.
The organiser announced the change on its own website. It blamed “a significantly worsening forecast of torrential rain and gale-force winds on Saturday”. It said Sunday “looks much better, with dry weather and considerably lighter winds”.
The display is the biggest ticketed fireworks night in the district. It takes place at the South of England Showground, Selsfield Road, Ardingly, RH17 6TL.
What ticket holders need to know
The organiser’s notice says:
- All tickets are automatically valid for Sunday. No action is needed.
- All timings and attractions stay the same. Gates open at 4pm.
- Tickets with Cancellation Cover can be cancelled under the cover’s terms.
- Tickets without Cancellation Cover remain non-refundable.
The published schedule is unchanged, just a day later. The lower-noise display for younger children is at 6.30pm, the main pyromusical by Illusion Fireworks at 7.40pm, and the site closes at 9pm. Fairground rides cost £2 each before 5pm.
Parking is still pre-booked by arrival slot, from £3. The notice does not mention parking separately. If you booked a parking slot for Saturday, check your booking confirmation or contact the organiser through its website.
Tickets are still on sale for Sunday: adults from £15, children £12.50 and a family pass of two adults and two children £50, all plus a 10% booking fee. Our fireworks and bonfire night page has every other display in the district this season.
Two wind warnings across Mid Sussex today
The Met Office has two yellow warnings for wind in force over West Sussex on Friday 23 October, according to its warnings page, read at about 7am.
| Warning | Valid | What the Met Office expects |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Austen | 10pm Thursday to 5pm Friday | Gusts of 50 to 60mph, 70mph or more in some coastal or exposed spots, easing slowly in the afternoon |
| Inland gales | 10am to 9pm Friday | Gusts of around 45 to 55mph through the day |
The second warning covers a wide area, from Kent and Sussex up to Yorkshire. The Met Office says “many trees still in full leaf” and locally heavy rain mean power cuts and travel disruption are possible.
Its list of possible impacts includes:
- longer journey times and cancellations on road and rail
- some roads and bridges closing
- power cuts, which can also knock out mobile phone signal
- tiles blown from roofs, and a danger from flying debris
No Met Office warning covers Sussex on Saturday or Sunday. The weekend warnings for Storm Boelo, read on the same page, cover northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Ardingly organiser’s decision rests on its own reading of Saturday’s forecast for the showground.
Gardens shut for the day
Two of the district’s big gardens closed on Friday because of the wind:
- Nymans, Handcross: the National Trust’s Nymans page says it “is closed Friday 23 October because of expected strong winds”. It reopens on Saturday 24 October.
- High Beeches, Handcross: the garden’s website says it “will be closed on Friday due to the forecast for high winds and heavy rain”.
If you are planning to visit any garden, woodland or National Trust site today, check its own page before you set off.
Trains
National Rail’s severe weather notice, last updated at 6.33am, lists disruption on CrossCountry, Great Western, Northern and Transport for Wales routes. It names nothing on Southern, Thameslink or Gatwick Express at the time of writing. High winds can still slow trains anywhere, so check your train before you leave.
What it means for you
- Going to Ardingly: go on Sunday 25 October instead. Your ticket carries over automatically. Gates open at 4pm.
- Power cut: call 105 free from any phone. The national 105 service puts you through to your local network operator.
- Tree or debris blocking a road: report it to West Sussex County Council through its roads reporting page.
- Bins: if your collection is today, the Met Office advice is to secure loose items outside, bins included.
- Driving: take the A23 and exposed rural roads slowly, and give lorries, buses and cyclists more room. Our roadworks page lists the planned closures for the week ahead.
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