It’s going to get curiouser and curiouser at Wentworth Woodhouse, as Alice’s Wonderland take over the mansion
“We believe Alice In Wentworth Wonderland is going to be our most popular Christmas experience ever”
Don’t book late, for a very important date at Rotherham’s Grade I listed country house Wentworth Woodhouse this Christmas season, families are being urged.
The mansion’s stunning Georgian State Rooms are being transformed into magical scenes from Alice In Wonderland, Lewis Carroll’s beloved 1865 novel all about Alice, a girl who tumbles down a rabbit hole and lands in a world of fantasy and nonsense.
The tale, now a children’s classic, follows Alice’s adventures as she chases a pocket watch-wielding white rabbit constantly fretting about being late.
She encounters a host of strange characters, from the ruthless Queen of Hearts to the Mad Hatter, sips a Drink Me potion which shrinks her to tiny proportions, and nibbles cake which transforms her into a giantess,
Alice In Wentworth Wonderland, an immerse and fantastical festive extravaganza, runs from Tuesday December 1 to Sunday January 3 and tickets are already on sale at https://wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk/whats-on/alice-in-wentworth-wonderland/
“Whatever you do, don’t be late and miss out,” said Nicola Wilson, the Preservation Trust’s Head of Commercial.
“We believe Alice In Wentworth Wonderland is going to be our most popular Christmas experience ever. Lewis Carroll’s timeless story has entranced children for generations and the character of Alice has a huge following.
“Culture Creative, one of the UK’s leading specialists in turning heritage settings into living storybooks, are producing the event and it promises to be lavish and incredibly atmospheric.”
Visitors will step into Wonderland, a magical world where nothing is quite as it seems, to discover the Room of Doors and the Hall of Hearts, follow a Drink Me and Eat Me trail, encounter croquet-playing pink flamingos and discover the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in the State Dining Room.
Along the way, there are fun, interactive opportunities for all ages, including Wonderland-inspired games, dressing-up corners and many a memory-making selfie moment.
Added Nicola Wilson: “Everyone who loves Alice’s story can come and join us. We have a platform lift to the mansion’s first floor, which means the Alice Experience is accessible for visitors of all ages and ranges of mobility.”
On weekends throughout December, Christmas week and December 27-31, the Wonderland experience becomes even more immersive, with live actors and further interactive opportunities.
A host of Alice-themed activities are also lined up during December, including Alice-themed storytelling sessions and Mad Hatter’s Tea Parties - one for families on December 21 and another for adults on December 19. Wonderland food and drink - from Queen of Hearts jam tarts to ‘Eat Me’ cakes - will be on offer in the Butler’s Pantry cafe and the Library Lounge.
The Christmas experience is Wentworth Woodhouse Preservation Trust’s biggest fundraising opportunity of the year. All profits go towards the restoration and upkeep of the house and gardens and community events and opportunities in 2027.
The Winter at Wentworth programme also features:
Goldsmiths North, a three-day artisan jewellery and silversmithing shopping event (Nov 13-15)
A Christmas Carol by Gerald Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens.
Festive Afternoon Teas in the Long Gallery
Festive lunches in the garden’s Camellia House
Alice at Wentworth Wonderland runs from December 1 to January 3 (closed on December 7 and 14, Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
Family tickets start at £60 (two adults and two children). Adult tickets from £20. Child tickets (3-16) from £17.50. Discounted tickets are available for single-parent families and admission is free for accompanying carers and children aged two and under.