A COUNTRY estate is celebrating a hat-trick of positivity after welcoming a record number of visitors.
After re-opening post lockdown, Kiplin Hall and Gardens near Richmond has reported record-breaking visitor figures.
And in a statistical hat trick, the attraction has enjoyed its highest footfall figures for three months in a row.
During July, August, and September this year Kiplin has welcomed a total of 8,556 visitors compared to 6,154 in same three months in 2019, an increase of 39 per cent.
During June only the gardens were open, but the venue still attracted people keen to spend time outdoors, with visitor figures just 100 shy of 2019 data.
The promise of pizza picnics from onsite takeaway caterers throughout the summer, and the Hall reopening in July continued to pull people in.
Director James Etherington, said Covid safety has been a priority.
He added: “Safety has been key. Keeping staff, volunteers, and visitors safe.
"From June we altered our foot path routes creating one-way systems, put in place extra toilets, and clear signage. Visitor facing staff and volunteers have been wearing face coverings since June.
"And we put in place contract tracing methods from day one.
"We have not relaxed any of these measures, but have maintained and adapted them when needed. Feedback from visitors has been great.
"They feel safe and confident we are taking things seriously.”
“We are delighted to be able to offer a safe place for people to escape to.
"We’d like to thank all of our visitors, firstly for coming to us, and secondly for adhering to our measures so carefully.
"Although we are experiencing financial losses in some parts of our business, we are delighted to see our visitor figures increase. It leaves us feeling very hopeful about the future of the charity.
"As a gesture of our gratitude and our wish to support people during financially hard times we will be freezing our ticket prices for 2021 at the 2020 rates.
"All tickets will remain valid for 12 months and there will be no price increase in 2021, helping people’s money go further during these tough times.”
Kiplin is now gearing up for Halloween with a Halloween Trail running during October half term.
It includes playful displays of scarecrows and skeletons in the walled garden, with more frightening ghouls in the woodland.
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