Furious punters, who drove hundreds of kilometers to BBC Countryfile’s Christmas event, have called the event “awful” and “a rip-off”.

Visitors who were charged up to £80 for the Christmas in the Park event in Wiltshire were promised appearances by Countryfile stars Matt Baker, Sean Fletcher, John Craven and Anita Rani, as well as a range of activities including Christmas crafts and baking workshops.

However, disappointed viewers complained that they didn’t see the BBC stars and had to go after one hour as there wasn’t much else to do.

A customer said that a man was forced to transport his son with disabilities because he could not push the wheelchair through thick mud. One customer told The Sun that the Father Christmas she had seen was a miserable man who looked so covered in mud.

Helena Townley stated that while summer shows can be great, this show was simply awful. It was not festive at all. There wasn’t any carol singing or reindeer, and I didn’t see Father Christmas. He was also covered in mud.

“The star of the show is supposed to appear here but I haven’t seen them in the main marquee.”

Visitors who were charged up to £80 for the Christmas in the Park event in Wiltshire were promised appearances by Countryfile stars Matt Baker, Sean Fletcher, John Craven and Anita Rani, as well as a range of activities including Christmas crafts and baking workshops

Visitors who were charged up to £80 for the Christmas in the Park event in Wiltshire were promised appearances by Countryfile stars Matt Baker, Sean Fletcher, John Craven and Anita Rani, as well as a range of activities including Christmas crafts and baking workshops

One customer claimed a man had to carry his disabled son because he couldn¿t push his wheelchair through thick mud. Another told The Sun that the only Father Christmas she saw ¿looked miserable as he was covered in mud¿

A customer said that a man was forced to transport his son with disabilities because he could not push the wheelchair through thick mud. One customer told The Sun that the Father Christmas she had seen was a miserable man who looked so covered in mud.

Lynsey rodgers posted on Facebook that she had travelled for 4 hours, stayed two nights in a local hotel and completed the trip in just 2 hours. There were no animals and there was not even a Christmas feeling (not even in a grotto). Also, very few vendors had any kind of activities or stalls for kids. Don’t buy tickets if you don’t have them yet.

Another wrote on Twitter: ‘I’m furious that we paid all that money, to slop around in thick mud, no outdoor events… sound system not working, Santa’s horses left becuz (sic) of the mud. Info tent had no info. A disabled lad couldn’t walk through mud – his dad dad carried him.’

Others praised it, including Brian Turner, president of Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, who wrote: “What a weekend!” The weather didn’t help but a massive thank you to all the chefs who came on the Christmas Kitchen & Merry Baking stages. 

“Fantastic and professional performances. It was great to have you all there, as well as a couple Countryfile presenters.

A BBC Studios spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Countryfile Christmas in the Park’s ticket prices were in line with other similar events in the UK and attracted over 13000 visitors – but due to the outdoor nature of the event, rainfall did cause some areas of the park to be muddy underfoot. 

“We suggested that people bring comfortable footwear. We apologise for anyone who has found it difficult. 

This event offered fans the opportunity to have a festive party with their Countryfile favourite presenters. The event promised that fans would have the opportunity to meet favourite presenters as well as participate in demonstrations and workshops.

This event also featured Christmas shopping and delicious food and drink. 

Disappointed fans complained they barely saw the BBC stars, and were forced to leave after an hour because there was nothing much to do

Fans who were disappointed complained that they could not see the BBC stars and had to flee after one hour as there wasn’t much else to do.

The event was also advertised as dog-friendly, and visitors were allowed to bring their pets to the show.

The official website for the event sent a final message of thanks to its visitors. Thanks for coming out to support us in the snow and mud.

“Huge thanks to Countryfile’s presenters and our contributors and exhibitors for making the three-day event a success. We are also grateful for the support of the carol singings and other performers who helped us spread the holiday cheer. We wish all of our visitors a happy and secure Christmas.

Countryside, which covered rural and agricultural issues in the UK, was originally broadcast on January 1, 1988. The program airs one week.

The BBC’s Countryfile magazine, which was published by Immediate Media Co. in 2007, was also launched.

Countryfile continues to be a mainstay of the program’s year. The best entries are accepted by viewers and used to create a calendar to benefit Children in Need. The 2017 calendar raised over £2.2million for the charity.

Countryfile hosts live events called Countryfile Live at locations around the UK. This has been happening since Countryfile’s first event in Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire, in 2016. SME London Ltd, under licence by BBC Studios, hosted the event that attracted 125,000 participants over four days.

Countryfile Live had been scheduled to be the host of an event in Windsor Great Park, Buckinghamshire, in August 2013. However it was cancelled by the pandemic.