CENTER Parcs has been forced to close all of their resorts until January 7 due to the new UK coronavirus strain.
Many families who booked a holiday for the Christmas and New Year break will be forced to cancel or reschedule their trip.
Elveden, Longleat, Whinfell and Sherwood Forest closed yesterday while Woburn will close from Friday.
The holiday parks said in a statement: "Following the update from the Prime Minister last night (19 December) it is clear that the threat of the virus with the new variant is now at an extremely delicate stage.
"It is therefore with a heavy heart that we have made the decision to close all our UK villages from Monday 21 December until at least 7 January 2021.
"Our decisions throughout the pandemic have been with the priority of keeping our guests and staff as safe as possible.
"Latest Government advice in all tiers is to avoid non-essential travel outside of local areas and we certainly do not wish to encourage this."
They added that any guests who have bookings between December 20 and January 7 will be contacted regarding how to cancel their holidays or reschedule, with a discount of £100.
While families admitted they were devastated, many praised the parks for making the right decision.
One man wrote: "We had to cancel our Christmas visit after we got left in tier 3, but closing all parks has got to be the correct decision for staff and guests safety. We have re booked for next Christmas."
Another woman added: "Gutted for you guys and our NY trip, but we shall be back. Supported you twice through lock down and we shall again."
The parks have been forced to open and close throughout the year, with many of them shut during April, May and June during the first lockdown, and in November during the second lockdown.
This date is likely to be extended again with warnings that London and the south-east could remain in tier 4 for months, until the vaccine is rolled out.
Peterborough and Portsmouth have also been placed into tier 4, as well as Wales.
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