Exbury Gardens Spectral Halloween Train Event Made Covid Safe – Case Study

Halloween is always one of the biggest events at the stunning New Forest based Exbury Gardens where a spectral train takes visitors on a journey into the dark unknown. 2020 meant that extra Covid secure measures had to be taken to allow the Halloween events staff to work safely with the public.

Located just over the river from Bucklers Hard visitor attraction, and near to Beaulieu, Exbury Gardens attracts large numbers of visitors every year. The beautiful landscaped gardens were particularly popular with visitors in 2020 due to its ease of maintaining social distancing, making it a pleasant place to stroll and relax.

Popular with all ages, the Halloween events draw in large crowds and the 2020 Covid measures meant that actors working on its annual spooky train had to meet an extremely detailed brief.

The Brief…

Envisage Promotions were asked to provide six fully trained, Covid safe experienced actors matching very specific requirements.

• The special Halloween train would be operating for seven days.
• Throughout that period, the actors had to be able to work with the public, communicating with them, and providing a scary but not frightening, entertaining environment.
• They had to undertake specific roles such as vampires, ghosts and skeletons. Each character also had to take part in lively slapstick comedy performances.
• Maintain social distancing, hand washing and sanitizing
• Be fully conversant with Government Covid Health & Safety guidance
• Due to Covid, the actors needed to be skilled face painters so they could do their own make-up.
• Costumes were provided
• The actors need to learn a script in advance
• Attend a rehearsal

It was a challenge that Envisage Promotions were well able to fulfil, possessing the contacts to find good, reliable, presentable actors who could match the brief exactly. Envisage Promotions interviewed and selected suitable actors, provided Covid safety training and ensured that they were completely prepared for their ghostly roles. All Exbury Gardens had to do was operate the trains and enjoy the event.

A Spooktacular success

The spooky Halloween trains was a resounding triumph providing lots of entertainment for everyone. The beautiful autumnal colours of the trees and flowers took on a new appearance as strange ghosts began to appear through the undergrowth. Ghoulish characters haunted the train, appearing suddenly amid the trees, or in the stations bringing laughter as well as screams to the travelers.

Exbury Gardens was able to operate a successful Halloween Train service benefiting company and public, while maintaining totally Covid safe conditions.