All aboard for spooky family thrills as Exbury’s infamous steam train transforms into a Halloween Ghost Train: The Curse of the Haunted Circus from Sunday 25th October to Saturday 31st October 2026! Located at Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway in the New Forest near Southampton (SO45 1AZ), this fundraising event delivers a fast-moving, 30-minute live-action immersive experience filled with comedy, scares, and theatrical fun. Daily train departure times run at 10:45 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:00 PM, and 3:45 PM BST. Passengers join the ghost of Ricardo the Ringmaster on a quest across the track to break the curse of a haunted circus aboard a pun-fuelled joke-a-motive.
Ghost Train tickets are £10.00 per person (£9.00 for Friends of Exbury members, with children under 3 riding for free). Please note that both a Ghost Train ticket and a valid Gardens Admission ticket (or membership) are required to ride. With scares, laughs, and live actors (including clowns), it offers a fantastic scary pantomime adventure that will leave you jumping, screaming, and laughing all the way home!
Halloween Ghost Train: The Curse of the Haunted Circus Dates & Ride Times
Schedule and departure times for the Halloween Ghost Train at Exbury Gardens:
- Event Dates: Sunday 25th October – Saturday 31st October 2026.
- Daily Departure Times: 10:45 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:00 PM, and 3:45 PM BST.
- Experience Duration: Approximately 30 minutes of live-action immersive train entertainment.
What to Expect at Halloween Ghost Train: The Curse of the Haunted Circus
Key highlights and theatrical features of the Ghost Train ride:
- Themed Live-Action Show: Ride along with the ghost of Ricardo the Ringmaster in a fast-moving, live-action theatrical production to break a haunted circus curse.
- Pun-Fuelled Joke-A-Motive: A humorously scary, pantomime-style script packed with jokes, laughs, groans, and jumps for all ages.
- 30-Minute Immersive Journey: Travel through Exbury’s picturesque woodland railway converted into an eerie, spooky circus experience.
- Fundraising Event: Ticket sales directly support the maintenance and preservation of Exbury Gardens.
- Content Advisory: The performance contains scares, spooky atmosphere, and live actors (may contain clowns; may not be suitable for very young or sensitive children).
Halloween Ghost Train: The Curse of the Haunted Circus Tickets
Official ticket rates and entry conditions:
- Standard Ghost Train Ticket: £10.00 per person.
- Friends of Exbury Members Ticket: £9.00 per person.
- Under 3s: Free ride entry (no ticket required for children under 3 years old).
- Mandatory Admission Requirement: A valid Ghost Train ticket MUST be accompanied by a separate Gardens Admission ticket or a valid Exbury Membership.
- Booking Guidance: Advance booking is strongly recommended due to limited seat capacity per train departure.
Halloween Ghost Train Address
Location and travel routes to Exbury Gardens:
Exbury Gardens Location
Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1AZ.
How to Get to Exbury Gardens
- By Car: Follow the A326 south towards Totton and the Waterside area, then take the B3054 towards Beaulieu and follow local signage to Exbury.
- By Public Transport: Nearest main rail hubs are Brockenhurst and Southampton Central, with local bus services or taxi links connecting through Beaulieu and Hythe.
Exbury Gardens Accessibility & Facilities
Venue amenities and accessibility details:
- Facilities: On-site tearoom, gift shop, railway station platform, accessible toilets, and baby changing facilities.
- Accessibility: Ramp access is available for train boarding; wheelchair-accessible carriages are available (please notify the venue in advance).
Exbury Gardens Parking
Parking details for visitors:
- On-Site Parking: Free customer parking is available on site directly adjacent to the main visitor entrance and railway station.
Discover More Local Events
Looking for more exciting things happening across the region? Check out our complete list of What’s On in Southampton to discover Halloween attractions, ghost train rides, family theatrical shows, and autumn country park events near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Halloween Ghost Train running?
- The Ghost Train runs daily from Sunday 25th October to Saturday 31st October 2026, with departure times at 10:45 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:15 PM, 3:00 PM, and 3:45 PM BST[cite: 1].
- Where is the event located?
- The event is hosted at Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway, Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire (SO45 1AZ).
- How much are tickets for the Halloween Ghost Train?
- Ghost Train tickets are £10.00 per person, or £9.00 for Friends of Exbury members. Children under 3 years old ride for free.
- Do I need a gardens admission ticket as well as a Ghost Train ticket?
- Yes, a valid Ghost Train ticket AND a gardens admission ticket (or valid Exbury membership) are both required to ride the Ghost Train.
- How long is the Ghost Train experience?
- The live-action immersive train experience lasts approximately 30 minutes.
- Is the Ghost Train suitable for young children?
- The show contains scares, immersive live actors, and clowns. It may not be suitable for very young or particularly sensitive children.
- Do children under 3 require a ticket?
- No, children under 3 years old do not need a ticket to ride the Ghost Train.
- What is the theme of this year’s Ghost Train?
- The 2026 theme is “The Curse of the Haunted Circus,” following the ghost of Ricardo the Ringmaster on a pun-fuelled quest to break a circus curse.
- Is parking available at Exbury Gardens?
- Yes, free customer parking is provided on site directly adjacent to the main visitor entrance and railway station.
- Who organises the Halloween Ghost Train?
- The event is organised and hosted as a fundraising event by Exbury Gardens & Steam Railway.